French Front National voting: A micro and macro perspective

Abstract

In this article we study Front National voting behaviour from a micro and macro perspective, by taking into account individual and contextual characteristics simultaneously. We test five theories that offer explanations as to why certain social categories, such as e.g. lowly educated people, people with a low income or younger people, are more likely to vote for the Front National. An unfavourable out-group attitude, an authoritarian attitude and a nonconformist attitude turn out to be unique for the Front National electorate, whereas identification with France and political dissatisfaction can be found among other electorates to the same extent. Between regions, large variance exists in Front National support which is explained partly by the number of immigrants present, but only indirectly by the unemployment level.