Electoral Behavior in Democracies

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary reason to study voting as a contemporary political activity?

It allows the election and renewal of the rulers at regular intervals.

It is the most studied political behavior.

It is the founding act of the democratic pact. (correct)

It is the most common political activity.

What is a common misconception about voting and elections?

Voting is the only means of political participation.

Voting is only practiced in democratic countries.

Voting is only used in political contexts.

Voting and elections are interchangeable terms. (correct)

What is an example of voting beyond the political sphere?

Voting for the Oscars. (correct)

Voting in a student union election.

Voting in a general election.

Voting in a local referendum.

What is an alternative to voting in democracy?

Random lot. Signup and view all the answers

What has evolved significantly over the last twenty years in relation to voting?

Models and methods to analyze voting behavior. Signup and view all the answers

What is the key feature of democracy that voting enables?

The election and renewal of rulers at regular intervals. Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to distinguish between voting and elections?

To highlight the differences in their meanings. Signup and view all the answers

What historical development has influenced the concept of voting?

The expansion of suffrage. Signup and view all the answers

What was the focus of Paul Lazarsfeld's research in 1940?

How the presidential campaign influences people's voting Signup and view all the answers

What did Paul Lazarsfeld find out about voters' political orientations?

They are stable and echo the norms of their family and environment Signup and view all the answers

What is the 'Index of political predispositions'?

A combination of factors that influence votes Signup and view all the answers

What did Paul Lazarsfeld's research show about voters who supported the Republican candidate?

They were mostly rural, Protestant, and wealthy Signup and view all the answers

What is the main idea of Paul Lazarsfeld's research?

People think politically as they are socially Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the model developed by Paul Lazarsfeld?

The Columbia model Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the model developed in the 1950s?

The Michigan model Signup and view all the answers

What type of model is the Michigan model?

An analytical model of voting Signup and view all the answers

What is the definition of the electorate framed by?

Social and legal rules of the game Signup and view all the answers

What is the frequency of elections in most countries?

Every 3-5 years Signup and view all the answers

What is the paradox of voting according to Down's paradox?

Rationally, people should not vote Signup and view all the answers

Why do people vote despite the paradox of voting?

Because it has other substantial dimensions beyond electing a government Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the ways that voting is a means of expression?

It is a way for citizens to express political convictions Signup and view all the answers

What does the outcome of the vote give to those in power?

Legitimacy based on collective consent Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes voting from choosing representatives through lot or cooptation?

The legitimacy based on collective consent Signup and view all the answers

Why is compulsory voting the exception in many countries?

Because it is not the norm in most countries Signup and view all the answers

What is the trend observed in the relevance of the left-right cleavage?

It has declined Signup and view all the answers

What has happened to the Alford index?

It no longer works Signup and view all the answers

What is the current trend in religious voting?

It has declined Signup and view all the answers

What has replaced class voting?

Educational voting Signup and view all the answers

Which group has become more diversified?

Higher-educated socio-cultural professionals Signup and view all the answers

What is the trend observed in the low-educated working-class?

It has dramatically changed Signup and view all the answers

Who is an exception to the trend of low-educated working-class not voting or voting for the right?

Ethnic minorities Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of the process of secularization?

A shrinkage of the religious vote Signup and view all the answers

What has been observed in the voting patterns of women from the 1990s onwards?

A gradual shift of women voters to the left Signup and view all the answers

In which type of parties do women tend to vote more often than men?

Left-wing Social Democratic parties and the Greens Signup and view all the answers

Why are women less likely to support European integration?

Because they are more intolerant to corruption Signup and view all the answers

In countries where the extreme right has an electoral breakthrough, what is true about women's voting behavior?

They are less likely to vote for the extreme right Signup and view all the answers

What is a factor that contributes to the persistence of differences in political behaviors between men and women?

The role of socialization institutions Signup and view all the answers

What is a consequence of economic inequalities on women's political behaviors?

They are more likely to hold certain opinions regarding Europe and the welfare state Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Electoral Behaviors

Voting is a central feature of democracies, but it's not limited to politics; people vote in various contexts, such as the Oscars or in court as a jury member.

Voting Beyond Politics

Voting goes beyond the establishment of universal suffrage; it's not the only means of selecting representatives in a democracy, as seen in Athenian democracy, where representation was achieved through lots.

Importance of Studying Voting

Voting is the founding act of the democratic pact, allowing for the election and renewal of rulers at regular intervals.
It's the most common political activity and the most studied political behavior, with evolving models and methods of analysis over the last 20 years.

Framework of Voting

Voting is not spontaneous, but framed historically, legally, and socially by rules of the game, including:
- Definition of the electorate (who can vote)
- Compulsory or non-compulsory nature of voting
- Length of terms and mandates

Paradox of Voting (Down's Paradox)

Rationally, people should not vote due to the high cost and low benefit, but people still vote.
Voting is invested with dimensions beyond mere designation of government or political expression.

Dimensions of Voting

Voting as a political expression and means of expression
Voting and the selection of representatives, legitimizing the authority of those in power
Sociological models of voting, relying on sociological criteria

Sociological Models of Voting

Columbia Model (1940): Paul Lazarsfeld's analysis of the presidential elections, showing that voters' political orientations are stable and influenced by family, cultural preferences, and environment.
Index of political predispositions: combining factors that influence votes, such as social status, religion, and place of residence.
Michigan Model (1950s): analytical model of voting, highlighting the decline of the sociological determination of the vote.

Crisis of Sociological Determination of the Vote

Decline of the left-right cleavage
Ineffectiveness of the Alford index
Process of secularization eroding religious voting
Shift from class voting to educational voting, with the left becoming the domain of the educated.

Changes in Voting Patterns

From religion to religious practices: process of secularization and retreat of religion, leading to a shrinkage of the religious vote.
"Modern" gender gap: women voters voting more for the left-wing Social Democratic parties and the Greens, with differences in opinions and voting behaviors.

Factors Influencing Voting Behaviors

Role of socialization institutions: family and school influencing women to self-exclude from the political universe.
Role of economic inequalities: women being more affected by precarious economic integration, influencing their opinions on Europe, the welfare state, etc.

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Description

Explore the role of voting in democratic systems, understanding the distinction between voting and elections, and the broader implications of political participation.