Fringe-City Life-Style Distance and Fringe Support of Political Integration

Aggregate data indexes of differences in life style between cities and fringes are correlated with fringe electoral support of political integration referenda. Contrary to the hypothesized relationship, life-style distance in the fringes' favor is positively correlated with fringe support. Several explanations are considered, and the one found to fit the data best suggests a desire for public services by residents of high-growth, familistic fringes.