Political Economy of Democracy and Elections

Abstract

In this paper, we examined how socio-economic, institutional, and political factors shape democratic processes and electoral outcomes in the emerging democracies. We analysed the determinants of voter behaviour and political participation in Ghana, focusing on the influence of income, education, trust in democratic institutions, and party affiliation. Using a cross-sectional study design, data were collected from a representative sample of 600 registered voters across urban and rural areas in Ghana. Descriptive statistics, Chi-square tests, and logistic regression analysis were employed to identify significant predictors of voter turnout and political preference. Findings indicate that higher income and education levels significantly increase the likelihood of electoral participation. At the same time, trust in democratic institutions has a positive influence on both voter turnout and political party choice. Party affiliation was also found to be a critical determinant of voting behaviour, with supporters of the ruling party exhibiting higher turnout. The findings highlight the complex interplay between socio-economic status, institutional credibility, and political mobilisation in shaping democratic engagement. The findings contribute to the literature on political economy by providing empirical evidence of the factors influencing electoral participation and democratic stability in emerging democracies. Based on this, there is a need to enhance civic education, strengthen electoral institutions, and promote equitable socio-economic development to consolidate democratic processes in the emerging democracies.