Reto Bürgisser
@retobuergisser
Assistant Professor @univie.ac.at丨Previously @ipz.bsky.social & @eui-sps.bsky.social丨Political Economy and Political Behavior: Labor Markets, Fiscal Policy, Green Transition, Technological Change | www.retobuergisser.com
🚨 Job Alert 🚨 We're hiring a six-year Postdoc @stawi-univie.bsky.social, starting in Oct 2026 (or thereafter). Research: political representation, party competition, institutions, political economy, political behavior, or related fields 📅 Deadline: 20 Aug 2026 Apply here: tinyurl.com/dyf9bt7h
🚨 Job Alert 🚨 We have an opening for a 𝗣𝗼𝘀𝘁𝗱𝗼𝗰 𝗣𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 @stawi-univie.bsky.social starting Aug/Sep 2026! Focus: political representation, party competition, political institutions, political economy, political behavior, or related fields 📅Apply by 29 April 2026 jobs.univie.ac.at/job/Universi...
⏳ 5 days left to apply! 4-year PhD position @stawi-univie.bsky.social @univie.ac.at in a collegial & supportive department. Focus: representation, party competition, political behavior, political institutions, political economy, or related. Deadline: 28 Jan 26 jobs.univie.ac.at/job/Universi...
New city, new job, new term! After a wonderful time at the @ipz.bsky.social, I’m very excited to have joined the Department of Government @stawi-univie.bsky.social at the University of Vienna as Assistant Professor. If you’re in Vienna and up for a coffee, let me know!
Third, a survey of over 5,000 direct CSP beneficiaries provides additional evidence that non-material benefits – such as interactions with case workers, feeling respected – played a crucial role in reducing political backlash.
Highlighting the importance of both material and non-material mechanisms in reducing political backlash, CSP beneficiaries report not only clear financial benefits but also a stronger sense of recognition and a higher subjective social status.
Second, our original survey (N=8,000) shows that, compared to non-beneficiaries and regular unemployment recipients, CSP beneficiaries are: - More trusting of political parties - More satisfied with democracy & government - More politically efficacious - Less likely to vote for the radical right
First, we link individual-level CSP register data to electoral outcomes and socioeconomic controls at the municipal level. Our models show consistent, robust evidence that CSP uptake moderates radical right support in economically vulnerable areas.
Based on policy feedback, grievance, and social recognition theory, we develop two mechanisms: 1. benefits compensate material hardship 2. counselling and training confer respect and recognition. CSP provides both: money and recognition – reaching over a milion people in France since 2011.
We examine France's “Contrat de sécurisation professionnelle” (CSP), a major support program for displaced workers, launched in 2011 to help workers laid off for economic reasons. It offers generous financial compensation and intensive, personalized reemployment support.
Can government policies moderate political backlash to structural change? Yes, the effect operates through material benefits and social recognition. 🚨New WP by @retobuergisser.bsky.social, @siljahausermann.bsky.social, @thmskrr.bsky.social and @susanadptavares.bsky.social 🚨 shorturl.at/zFbZE
BUT: Trade-offs Exist Political allegiance shapes attitudes via in- and out-party cues. Broad coalitions may alienate left-wing voters who see compromises as weakening environmental goals. Thus, growing polarization on climate action is a major obstacle to achieving a greener future.
Finding 3: Party Cues Are Critical We highlight a critical but understudied factor: the role of parties and the cues they provide. Without broad party consensus and consistent cues, advancing green tax proposals is unlikely. A coalition spanning left and center-right parties boosts approval.
Finding 2: Green Tax Design and Compensation Matters Higher net costs are offset when tax revenues are used to tackle climate change or reduce social risks. This underscores the importance of considering collective benefits and social risks, which are just as critical as ego-tropic material ones.
Finding 1: One-shot Information Alone Does Not Work Providing information about how green taxes work did not significantly change effectiveness beliefs or policy support. However, effectiveness beliefs are closely tied to policy support and skepticism about effectiveness remains a major barrier.
Why Do Green Taxes Struggle with Public Support? In a new article, @istad.bsky.social, Klaus Armingeon and I explore whether information, compensation and party cues can boost support for green taxes, using survey experiments conducted in 🇨🇭. #OpenAccess JEPP article: doi.org/10.1080/1350...
Tomorrow, October 24 at 10 am CET: NORFACE GOVERNANCE Online Lecture Series with Prof. Dr. Andreas Jungherr on: "The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Democracy" Sign up here: www.norface-governance.eu/event/norfac...