Intuitively, trade liberalisation should increase the appeal of left-wing parties that offer to protect workers with protectionist policies. Pedro Ogeda, Emanuel Ornelas and Rodrigo Soares use evidence from Brazil to show how liberalisation actually reduced votes for the left by undermining labour unions, the traditional support base of many left-wing parties. These changes in voting behaviour have proven persistent and highlight the institutional channels through which economic policy may have repercussions for the political landscape.

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4 February 2024

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Vox EU

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https://cepr.org/voxeu/columns/trade-liberalisation-can-weaken-unions-and-reduce-votes-left

This Blog is published under the centre's Trade programme.