Legacy of class: the role of family background in Polish voting behavior

This paper introduces a novel approach to analyzing class voting by integrating ancestral social background alongside current socio-economic indicators, an angle rarely explored in studies of class voting. Traditional models typically emphasize contemporary markers, such as occupation or wealth, while our approach incorporates the socio-economic history of respondents' family lineages. By accounting for ancestral social background, our model reveals the lasting influence of family origins on class identity, particularly relevant in Poland, where lineage has long been a critical resource distinguishing social elites from marginalized groups. This historical dimension highlights the impact of inherited social status on present-day class affiliations and voting behavior. Our model is built around three core factors: ancestral social background, the individual’s occupation, and their relative positions on scales of wealth, influence, and prestige. While occupational status and personal resources remain primary indicators of class, integrating ancestral background provides a more comprehensive understanding of the forces shaping class divisions and voting behavior. This unique framework categorizes individuals into lower (working), middle, and upper classes and uncovers how inherited social resources inform political preferences in ways previously overlooked in studies of class voting. By examining class voting through the lens of inherited status, this study enhances our understanding of socio-political dynamics in Poland. It also contributes to broader discussions on class persistence and the reproduction of social inequalities in European democracies, underscoring the importance of family background as a durable factor in shaping both social and political landscapes.