The Relationship between Political Resources and Vote Intention: An Analysis of Between and Within Effects Focusing on Income and Working Hours

Abstract

Voter turnout has been declining in Japan since the 1990s. However, due to a lack of research on the resources needed to vote, the relationship between resources (e.g., social stratification and living conditions) and voting is not yet clear. In this study, we focused on the social stratification and life circumstances of voters, and analyzed how they affect the willingness to vote, distinguishing between effects and within effects using the Japanese Life Course Panel Survey. We found that income was positively affected by between effects only, and working hours were negatively affected by within effects exclusively. Therefore, it is clear that relative differences in income and changes in individual working hours affect one’s willingness to vote.