The Department of Economics cordially invites you to the Economic Research Seminar (Department Seminar) on Wednesday, March 30^th, with

Ronnie Schöb (FU Berlin) on “Populism and Impatience”

Abstract: This paper examines the relationship between impatience and populist voting in Western societies. We first show empirically that supporters of right-wing populist parties tend to be less patient than supporters of other parties. We then discuss possible reasons for this observation. First, there might be an indirect role of impatience in support for right-wing populists. Discounting future well-being relatively strongly might make impatient voters beneficiaries of right-wing populist policy, as they are less educated and have less income available than patient voters. Second, right-wing populists often advocates myopic policies, which may directly appeal to impatient voters who focus more on immediate gratification than on the long-term effects of their decisions. This channel may become the more important the more people are subject to borrowing constraints. When people cannot reoptimize intertemporally they may favor policies, which are beneficial in the short-run even though negative long-run cost outweigh these short-run benefits. A policy implication of our study is that governments may use up-front redistribution to gain voters’ support for policy measures that promises to be beneficial in the long-run such as the combat of climate change or investing in public education or modern infrastructure.

Date: Wednesday, March 30^th

Time: 4.30 to 6 pm (CET)

Location: building TC, fifth floor, room TC.5.18

The following COVID-19-related regulations apply to all events at the WU campus need to be fulfilled for attending the research seminar:

2.5G proof and controls

•      You should only attend classroom units if you are not ill.

•      To participate in presence units, you have to show a 2.5G certificate (PCR-Tested, Vaccinated, Convalescent) upon request. You can find details regarding certificates and their validity here

•      To ensure that the checks can be carried out as quickly and smoothly as possible, please always bring your certificate with you on paper and have your photo ID ready as well. If necessary, please also follow the on-site guiding system.

•      Checks may take place in front of the building or at the beginning of the course and will be carried out by WU staff and WU security personnel.

Compulsory attendance, WU check-in and contact tracing

•      Please use the WU check-in (checkin.wu.ac.at) at the beginning of each course unit and during exams and enter your seat number. You can find the number right on the coloured spot on the desk. Registering your attendance and documenting your seat number are the basis for (official) contact tracing; providing incorrect information can have unpleasant consequences (quarantine) for you.

•      In any case, please comply with the attendance regulations for the course, which were communicated in advance in the eVVZ. In case you do not fulfil the attendance obligation without a provable important reason for your absence(s) (i.e. events that you cannot directly influence), you cannot be assessed positively.

• Currently, there is an obligation to wear a FFP2 mask during courses and examinations.