Voting Behavior in Comparative Politics
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Questions and Answers

Which model emphasizes that political preferences are linked to group membership?

  • Sociological model (correct)
  • Rational choice model
  • Psychological model
  • Dominant ideology model

What has been the trend in class-based voting since the 1980s?

  • It has diversified.
  • It has remained steady.
  • It has decreased. (correct)
  • It has increased significantly.

What is the primary focus of the rational choice model?

  • Class-based preferences
  • Instrumental voting (correct)
  • Identity voting
  • Opinion leadership

Which model critiques the decision-making process of voters as influenced by elites and media?

<p>Dominant ideology model (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a common characteristic of the psychological model?

<p>Analysis of subconscious decision-making (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What should voters evaluate according to the rational choice model?

<p>Performance and policy platforms (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which concept refers to voting based on one's demographic characteristics?

<p>Identity voting (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What event marked the creation of the sociological model?

<p>The Columbia University study (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a key characteristic of the party identification model?

<p>Voters consistently identify with a party and vote for it. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about partisan dealignment is true?

<p>Average annual change in partisan identification has been negative across many countries. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is indicated about family socialization in the party identification model?

<p>It is only an intermediate factor affecting party identification. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which period marked the beginning of empirical models in voting behavior research?

<p>The interwar period through the collaboration of political science and marketing. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the historical perspective on voting behavior indicate about the methods used before the interwar period?

<p>Deductive reasoning was the primary approach. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In terms of stability, how does party identification compare to other political attitudes?

<p>It is less stable than religion but more stable than other attitudes. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which factor is NOT directly associated with the party identification model?

<p>Emotional reasons for switching parties. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which model is seen as providing a better explanation for political preferences compared to the party identification model?

<p>Models that account for social and contextual influences. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary characteristic of direct democracy?

<p>There is no mediation in governance. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does representative democracy primarily differ from direct democracy?

<p>It involves appointing representatives to act on people's behalf. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a key aspect of participatory democracy?

<p>It focuses on the level of participation and opportunities available. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does egalitarian democracy aim to achieve?

<p>Correct economic inequalities through political means. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which event is credited with the birth of modern democracy?

<p>The Enlightenment and the American and French Revolutions. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which term refers to the confusion caused by numerous proposed theories of democracy?

<p>The amalgamation of democracy theories. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does plebiscitary democracy emphasize?

<p>Regular voting on representational issues. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes medieval democracy?

<p>A form of governance primarily for city-states. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which definition best describes liberal democracy?

<p>A system that emphasizes government constraints and checks on power. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a key feature of deliberative democracy?

<p>Emphasis is placed on the level of discussion and deliberation. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does majoritarian democracy primarily emphasize?

<p>Political decisions made by the majority without the need for inclusion. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the context of consensus democracy, what is emphasized to enhance the democratic process?

<p>The power of minorities to have a veto on decisions. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What aspect does radical democracy focus on according to the definitions provided?

<p>Every aspect of life is determined collectively by the people. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the context of economic democracy, what role does the political system play?

<p>It corrects imperfections in the economic system to promote welfare. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What key characteristic defines procedural/minimal democracy?

<p>Voting that determines governance without checks and balances. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best describes the relationship between economic inequalities and meritocratic democracy?

<p>The political system aims to correct economic inequalities to establish equal opportunities. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Voting Behavior

The study of what motivates voters, who participates in politics, and what influences their political choices.

Party Identification Model (Michigan Model)

A model suggesting voters identify with a political party and tend to vote for that party consistently.

Partisan dealignment

A decrease in voters' loyalty to political parties over time.

Family Socialization

The impact of family values and experiences on political attitudes, including party identification (partially).

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Empirical models

Models in political science that use data and observation to study political behaviours.

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Political Preferences

A voter's political choices and opinions.

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History of Voting Behavior Research

The evolution of the study of voting behavior, from deductive reasoning in earlier eras to a more empirical approach using data and observation.

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Political Participation

The act of actively engaging in political processes, such as voting.

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Columbia Model

A sociological model explaining voting behavior based on group membership and homogeneity. Developed at Columbia University in the 1940s by Lazarsfeld, Berelson and colleagues.

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Class Dealignement

The decline in class-based voting since the 1980s, with new political divisions emerging among voters.

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Rational Choice Model

A model suggesting voters act strategically to maximize their own interests, with a focus on policy issues. Developed in the interwar period by economists like Hotelling and Downs.

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Issue Voting

Voting based on a voter's stance on specific policies or issues.

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Dominant Ideology Model

A critical model that argues voters are influenced by elite and media manipulation rather than making independent decisions. Emerging in the 1970s.

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Psychological Model

A model exploring the role of individual psychological factors like personality traits and cognitive biases in voting.

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Opinion Leadership

Individuals within a group who influence others' political opinions and actions.

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Identity Voting

Casting a vote based on group affiliation or identity rather than policy stances.

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Classical Democracy

A form of democracy practiced in ancient Greece and Rome, emphasizing citizen participation in decision-making through assemblies and councils. It often had limitations based on social status and gender.

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Medieval Democracy

A type of democracy that emerged during the Middle Ages, primarily in city-states, where citizens had a direct role in government and trade was a key component.

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Direct Democracy

A system where citizens directly participate in decision-making through mechanisms like referendums or initiatives, without elected representatives.

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Representative Democracy

A system where citizens elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf. The people rule indirectly, voting in regular elections.

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Participatory Democracy

A type of democracy that encourages active citizen involvement in all aspects of government, from policy-making to implementation, through mechanisms like public meetings, participatory budgeting, and community engagement.

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Egalitarian Democracy

A form of democracy where the goal is to reduce inequalities and promote equality among citizens, particularly in areas like wealth distribution and social opportunity.

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What are the key differences between direct and representative democracy?

Direct democracy involves citizens making decisions directly through mechanisms like referendums, while representative democracy involves electing representatives to make decisions on their behalf. Direct democracy emphasizes immediate participation, while representative democracy relies on indirect participation through elected officials.

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How does the concept of 'inclusion' change through history in relation to democracy?

Historically, democracy has evolved with varying definitions of 'inclusion'. Ancient democracy excluded many groups, while modern conceptions increasingly emphasize broader inclusivity based on factors like gender, race, and socioeconomic status.

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Meritocratic Democracy

A system emphasizing equal opportunities, aiming for the most capable individuals to hold important positions. It believes economic inequalities should be rectified by the political system to create a fairer playing field.

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Economic Democracy

A system where the political system prioritizes maximizing welfare for all citizens. It critiques economic systems for their flaws and emphasizes the government's role in correcting them.

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Liberal Democracy

A system prioritizing constraints on government power. It emphasizes checks and balances to prevent any single group from becoming too powerful.

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Procedural Democracy

A democracy where elections are the primary means of determining who governs. Checks and balances are considered less important, reducing the government's power to influence the outcome of elections.

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Deliberative Democracy

A system that prioritizes open discussions and deliberations before making decisions. It emphasizes the people's direct and indirect participation in the political process.

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Radical Democracy

A system where the people decide everything, even in private life. It envisions a collective decision-making process encompassing all aspects of life.

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Consensus Democracy

A system where political decisions are made by including as many affected groups as possible. It aims to prioritize minority voices and give them power to influence outcomes.

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Majoritarian Democracy

A system where the majority decides, often without significant consideration for minority opinions or interests.

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Study Notes

Voting Behavior - Comparative Politics

  • Voting behavior is studied across different countries
  • Core questions of the field:
    • What motivates voters in political activities?
    • Who participates politically, and who does not?
    • What influences political preferences and choices?
    • Findings are primarily relevant to democratic systems

History of Researching Voting Behavior

  • Early research (before the interwar period) relied on deductive reasoning
  • The interwar period saw collaborations between political science, economics, and behavioral sciences/marketing, resulting in empirical models.
  • Psychological research gained prominence in the 1990s

Party Identification Model (Michigan Model)

  • Developed at the University of Michigan in the 1950s (The American Voter, 1960)
  • Key figures: Angus Campbell, Philip Converse, and colleagues
  • Voters identify with a party and vote for it regardless of circumstances.
  • No rational or emotional reason to switch parties.
  • Party identification is more stable than other political attitudes but less stable than attitudes like religious beliefs.

Potential Dynamics of the Michigan Model

  • Family and early political experiences influence party identification (intermediate effect)
  • Heavily based on US political characteristics

Partisan Dealement

  • Data shows partisan voter percentages and annual change in various countries.
  • Percentage of partisan voters has decreased in many democracies since the 1960s and 1970s
  • Several countries display a tendency toward dealignment

Types of Parties and Partisanship

  • Graphs show the change in vote share for mainstream left, mainstream right, challenger left, challenger right and challenger green parties over time

Sociological Model (Columbia Model)

  • Developed at Columbia University in the 1940s
  • Key figures: Lazarsfeld, Berelson, and colleagues
  • Links political preferences/actions with group membership
  • Social groups tend to be politically homogenous

Potential Dynamics of the Sociological Model

  • Group interests drive political interests
  • Opinion leaders influence political views
  • Identity voting
  • Voting based on external features

Class Dealement

  • Class-based voting has declined since the 1980s
  • New groups are emerging

Rational Choice Model

  • Developed in the interwar period, primarily by economists
  • Key figures: Hotelling, Downs, and others
  • Instrumental voting: voting to further one's interests
  • Issue voting: voting linked to specific policy issues

Potential Dynamics of the Rational Choice Model

  • Voters have clear, consistent preferences (at least on key issues)
  • Voters evaluate political performance and policy platforms
  • Voters choose options/actions that maximize their self-interests
  • Identity voting
  • Voting based on external features
  • Historical spending data from different policy areas in countries is presented for reference.

Dominant Ideology Model

  • Developed in the 1970s as a critical model
  • Critiques other previous models
  • Voters do not make decisions with freedom, they are influenced by elites and the media.
  • Subconscious decisions and interpreting viewpoints through communication are emphasized.

Psychological Model

  • Developed in the 1990s
  • Key figures: Marcus, Taber, and others
  • Diverse models exist with differing premises
  • Emotional and subconscious factors influence voting decisions, that are later rationalized.

Dynamics of the Psychological Model

  • Political campaigns, events lead to emotional reactions, often stronger than rational thought
  • Voters' actions/inactions, shifts in preferences are fueled by emotional responses
  • Rational or group-based motivators are almost irrelevant

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Related Documents

Voting Behavior Lecture Notes PDF
Theories of Democracy Lecture 3 PDF

Description

Explore the dynamics of voting behavior across various democratic systems. This quiz examines motivations, participation, and influences on political preferences. It also delves into historical research developments and the Michigan Model of party identification.

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