New Perspectives on Urban and Rural Polarization

Tensions between urban and rural areas have been highlighted in Western democracies, one reason being that political opinions and voting patterns seem to differ between city and countryside in most countries. In this project, we study the geographical differences from a Swedish perspective. Examples of issues being studied: How large are the differences in political views, party choices and values between urban and rural areas in Sweden? Does income development depend on where people grow up? What is the role of geographical mobility for income development? Which factors determine the choice to move to and from the Swedish countryside? What does the public sector look like outside of urban areas? How have regional colleges and universities affected differences between city and countryside?