Why Women Shy Away From RRPs: The Role of Motivated Prejudice

Gender disparities persist in radical right party (RRP) voting despite similar policy preferences on key issues like immigration. This article reveals an unexpected finding: women are more motivated than men to control prejudice, particularly toward groups RRP policies might target.

Methodology & Data

The analysis uses survey data from across Europe and employs causal inference techniques.

Key Mechanism

* The gender gap in voting is linked to internal motivations against prejudice among women.

* RRPs face challenges when their platform conflicts with these normative pressures for women voters.

The Puzzle This Study Solves

The research shows that even where policy preferences align, the psychological motivation differs:

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• Women are often more internally motivated to control prejudice against minorities.
• These motivations create political costs for parties perceived as prejudiced or discriminatory.

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Implications & Original Contribution

This study demonstrates how some RRPs can navigate these normative conflicts and maintain distinct voting patterns.