Prejudice, Black Threat and the Racist Voter in the 2008 Presidential Election

Abstract

We show evidence of prejudiced voting in the 2008 presidential election. We then go deeper to test if black threat theory explains some of this behavior. The theory finds empirical support, especially in the south. We also show that black concentration in an area works interactively with the socioeconomic status of that area when eliciting white animosity against blacks. In richer areas, black threat theory finds little support while in poorer areas it is evident.

Keywords: Prejudice, Black Threat, Racism, 2008 Presidential Election, Obama