Title: Economic and political dependencies in cultural voting: A gravity model analysis of Eurovision
Authors & affiliations: Alina M. Schoenberg, IMC Krems University of Applied Sciences, Austria, Dimitrios G. Ierapetritis, IMC Krems University of Applied Sciences, Austria and Panteion University of Social and Political Sciences, Athens, Greece, Chiara Foramitti, IMC Krems University of Applied Sciences and Austrian Integration Fund, Austria, Christopher Schwand, IMC Krems University of Applied Sciences, Austria
Abstract:
This paper examines the factors shaping voting behaviour in the Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) by applying a gravity model to bilateral voting data from Grand Finals between 1995 and 2019. Using Poisson Pseudo-Maximum Likelihood (PPML) estimation this work analyses how non-ESC related factors such as economic ties, population size, migration, and geographic proximity, diplomatic and political ties affect voting behaviour in the participating countries. The findings highlight geopolitical, economic, and diasporic dynamics underlying Eurovision voting patterns and contribute to broader discussions on cultural affinity and soft power in international relations.
Keywords: Eurovision Song Contest (ESC), European Broadcasting Union, voting behaviour, cultural diplomacy, gravity models
JEL Classification: C51, O18