In the past few years, politics and political factors have impacted residential and business move to a great extent. Government policies related to land use rules and laws, homeownership laws and subsidies, and business grants and licensing play an important role in the geographic mobility in a particular state. Most people move for better job opportunities or housing but there are others who move due to political reasons and existing or new government policies. A few states offer very appealing business plans and subsidies to attract more business into their state.
Though a better lifestyle, buying a new house, and/or a good neighbourhood can be the reasons behind a short-distance or local move, a long-distance move is often caused by highly valued goals like education and employment.
Here we will discuss some possible political reasons behind residential and business relocations:
Similar political Interests
Many Americans move to other states that reflect their political choices as most of them are moving from moderate partisan counties to extreme partisan counties and vice-a-versa. Though they never accept, the growing political polarization is the major factor influencing relocations. As per the data from the best long distance movers, people who want to live around co-partisans and county Presidential elections influence the relocation figures to a great extent. Extreme counties act as magnets to pull people from moderate counties.
The migration patterns among counties exhibit a growing political divide in the U.S. Relocation data shows that people are moving from very democratic or republican counties to counties of similar politics.
The politicization of Religion and Culture
As we all know that politicization of religion, culture and ethnic identities is one of the major causes of instability at a place. People face internal conflict and try to move to a better and liberal place.
Government Actions/Inaction
A government’s action or inaction related to political economy and public administration encourage people to move to or move from a particular state/county. The type of political regime and ideological preferences or differences also play important role in the migration process and patterns across the country.
Political Stability
States that have shown political stability are more likely to offer good business incentives and thus it pulls people from other states. Political stability also enables a government to resettle its displaced population by offering attractive employment options or lucrative incentives.
Along with these extreme political factors, there are some economic reasons too that influence geographic mobility in the U.S. Though it is observed that political preferences may guide people to choose to relocate to their desired place, no one will move to a place where he cannot find a job for political reasons. So here are some economic drivers other than political factors that lead people to other counties in search of a better life.
Housing Benefits
People find it wise to move to a state that offers good housing benefits to its prospective house owners. A low rate of property tax and easily available house loans are two big factors that charm people to move their residence from one place to another.
Employment Prospects
When a state government takes good measures to generate employment in its state, they attract people who are looking forward to better employment options. If a state government makes better business policies, many businesses relocate their businesses and thus create employment for many.
Commercial Development
Some state governments work hard on developing their commerce and economy while others take it lightly. So, making good commercial policies to attract good businesses to their state is a smart move. But while some states attract new businesses, there are others that face a decline in their population and business identities due to unattractive business policies. Getting lucrative business incentives for a particular business type is one of the major causes of the business relocation. If a state government upgrades its local industry well, many skilled workers get attracted to the opportunities.
Higher Wages
The state government that offers higher wages to its labour attracts more migrants that add value to its economy. So, economic disparity is one of the major reasons that skilled labour moves from developing economies to developed economies.
Better Quality of life and low cost of living are two more major factors that people consider before moving to a new place.
No matter how many people move across the U.S. around the year, moving due to political preferences will widen the political divide of the country. If nationwide county-level voting data and relocation patterns are considered, the figures are very disheartening. Planned relocation should be something that governments should work upon as people should be guided to relocate to places where it is absolutely necessary.
Whatever be the reason behind, relocation is something one should thoroughly contemplate and then decide on. There are many there factors apart political that can affect the decision and cause after effects. Hence, it is important to be as considerate as possible when deciding to relocate.