How Car Culture Drives Political Preferences in Rural Regions: Evidence From Sweden

ABSTRACT Recent research has suggested that the rise of the radical right in rural regions can partly be explained by rural identities. Yet, the nuances of how cultural identities and political allegiances are interconnected, particularly through cultural practices, remain relatively unexplored. This article addresses this gap by examining the association between car culture—encapsulated by interest in and use of cars—and political preferences in rural Sweden. Utilising three novel data sources that encompass survey data, electoral trends and the prevalence of EPA‐tractors—a distinctive aspect of Swedish car culture—the study uncovers a strong correlation between these cultural expressions and support for the radical right‐wing party, the Sweden Democrats, especially among younger individuals, often exceeding the influence of economic factors. The findings elucidate the connection between political and cultural identities and their role in shaping political behaviour in rural Sweden, providing significant implications for understanding the rise of the radical right in rural regions.