Under Two Flags: Symbolic Voting in the State of Mississippi

In: Public choice, Band 118, Heft 1-2, S. 105-124

Abstract

Participants in a special election held in MS on 17 Apr 2001 voted overwhelmingly against changing the design of the state's flag, which incorporates a symbol of the Confederacy. The determinants of voting on the flag are analyzed & turnout rates in Apr 2001 are compared with those for recent gubernatorial & presidential elections. We find that the flag vote divided Mississippians sharply along lines of race, class, & political ideology. A key empirical implication is that voter positions in issue space tend to be more polarized when political choices have expressive as opposed to instrumental consequences. 3 Tables, 3 Figures, 22 References. Adapted from the source document.