ABSTRACT
This chapter recapitulates the main findings of the book. RLP voters form a distinctive electorate with very specific socio-demographic, attitudinal, and political traits. RLPs perform comparatively better among working-class voters, public sector workers, and, generally, among those who have strong preferences for redistribution and for public sector intervention in the economy. Most RLPs are also relatively successful among sociocultural professionals, and RLPs voters tend to hold progressive values and preferences on sociocultural issues. In sum, the radical-left electorate is a cross-class coalition of progressive voters in both cultural and socio-economic terms, with a high level of political and associational engagement. Dissatisfaction with democracy and lack of trust in political elites increase support for RLPs. Moreover, the Radical Left performs relatively well among those who experience different forms of economic hardship and in contexts of bad economic conditions. Lastly, RLPs’ own policy positions on economic issues and the emphasis they place on non-economic issues can contribute to either increasing or limiting their support. All in all, the book demonstrates that electoral support for RLPs is contingent on voters’ characteristics and demand-side variables, contextual economic and political factors, and RLPs’ own strategies and behaviour.
