Voting Behavior in Comparative Politics
16 Questions
0 Views

Choose a study mode

Play Quiz
Study Flashcards
Spaced Repetition
Chat to lesson

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What is the primary focus of research in voting behavior?

  • Identifying motivations behind political activities (correct)
  • Understanding the impact of economic factors on voting
  • Analyzing historical voting patterns across different regimes
  • Exploring the relationship between voter demographics and political outcomes
  • Which model emphasizes that voters remain loyal to their parties regardless of circumstances?

  • The Michigan Model (correct)
  • The Psychological Model
  • The Rational Choice Model
  • The Behavioral Model
  • Which voting model emphasizes that political preferences and actions are derived from group membership?

  • Psychological model
  • Rational choice model
  • Sociological model (Columbia model) (correct)
  • Dominant ideology model
  • What typically influences party identification according to the Michigan model?

    <p>Family socialization and early political experiences</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In which model do voters evaluate performance and policy platforms to further their own interests?

    <p>Rational choice model</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a key criticism of the models from the perspective of the dominant ideology model?

    <p>Voters are influenced by elites and media</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is indicated by partisan dealignment in the context of voting behavior?

    <p>A decline in the percentage of partisan voters over time</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What significant change in voting behavior is described by the concept of class dealignment?

    <p>A decrease in class-based voting</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which country exhibited the highest average annual change in partisan voters according to the data?

    <p>New Zealand</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following was a shift in the methodology of studying voting behavior during the interwar period?

    <p>Collaboration with behavioral sciences and marketing</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which model, emerging in the 1990s, incorporates various approaches to understand voter behavior?

    <p>Psychological model</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The potential dynamic of identity voting can be associated with which model?

    <p>Sociological model</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How stable is party identification compared to other political attitudes?

    <p>It is more stable than other political attitudes, but less than religious beliefs.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the main findings of the Michigan model regarding the party-switching behavior of voters?

    <p>Voters do not have rational or emotional reasons to switch parties.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the relationship between voting behaviors and social group membership according to the sociological model?

    <p>Social groups have homogeneous political views</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which voting model critiques the idea that voters make their own decisions?

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

    Study Notes

    Voting Behavior - Comparative Politics

    • Voting behavior is studied to understand what motivates voters and who participates politically.
    • The field acknowledges that findings about voting behavior are mostly applicable to democracies.

    Main Questions of the Field

    • What drives political activity in voters?
    • Who engages politically and who does not?
    • What shapes voting preferences and choices?

    History of Researching Voting Behavior

    • Early research (before the interwar period) leaned towards deductive reasoning.
    • The interwar period saw collaboration between political scientists, economists, and behavioral scientists, leading to empirical models.
    • Psychological research gained prominence in the 1990s and beyond.

    Party Identification Model (Michigan Model)

    • Developed at the University of Michigan in the 1950s.
    • Key figures include Angus Campbell, Philip Converse, and colleagues.
    • The model posits that voters identify with a specific party and generally vote for it consistently.
    • Party identification is notably stable but not as strong as other factors (e.g., religion).
    • Family socialization and early political experiences influence party identification, although other models offer more comprehensive explanations of voting preferences.
    • Primarily based on the US political system.

    Partisan Dealignment

    • Partisan voters in several countries have shown a decrease, suggesting a shift in voters' allegiance to specific parties.
    • Data from various countries supports this ongoing trend.

    Sociological Model (Columbia Model)

    • Developed at Columbia University in the 1940s.
    • Key contributors include Lazarsfeld, Berelson, and colleagues.
    • This model emphasizes the connection between voting preferences and group membership.
    • Social groups tend to share common political predispositions.
    • Key factors linked to voting behavior include group interests, opinion leadership, identity voting, and voting based on external features.
    • Class-based voting has decreased since the 1980s.

    Rational Choice Model

    • Emerged during the interwar period, primarily developed by economists.
    • Important figures include Hotelling, Downs, and others.
    • This model underscores instrumental voting, where voters prioritize self-interest and policy preferences.
    • Voter decisions are predominantly influenced by issues and policy choices.
    • Voter choices are also shaped by personal interests and factors like identity.

    Dominant Ideology Model

    • Developed in the 1970s, it critiques existing models.
    • It argues that voter choices are not entirely autonomous.
    • The model emphasizes that elites and media play a significant role in shaping voter preferences and actions.
    • Subconscious processes influence choices, informed by communication and education.

    Psychological Model

    • Originated in the 1990s.
    • Key contributors include Marcus, Taber, and others.
    • This model argues that emotional and subconscious factors significantly influence voter behavior, often rationalized after the fact.
    • Political events often trigger quick and powerful emotional responses.
    • Rational or group-based factors are sometimes less influential compared to emotion-driven reactions.

    Studying That Suits You

    Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

    Quiz Team

    Related Documents

    Description

    Explore the factors that drive voter engagement and political activity in democracies. This quiz delves into historical research, key models, and the psychological aspects influencing voting preferences. Test your understanding of how party identification shapes electoral choices.

    More Like This

    Use Quizgecko on...
    Browser
    Browser