Democracy In Scotland- Voting Behaviour (Notes) Flashcards
What is the party identification model?
The concept of party identification denotes the long-term feelings of positive attachment which many electors develop for a political party.
It varies in intensity, some are very strongly aligned to a party and other less so. It tends to get stronger as people get older.
Party Identification is regarded by many commentators as the most enduring and important feature of many voters attitudes and behaviour.
Name some short term factors which influence voting behaviour
The media The leader of the party Scandals Redundancy Current affairs
Name some long term (continuous) factors which influence boring behaviour
Social class and upbringing Gender Ethnicity Family influence Education
Name some long term (changing) factors which influence voting behaviour
Age and stage
Region
Values (dinkys: double income no kids)
Skiers: spending the kids inheritance
What is the name for ‘selfish’ voting?
Rational choice voting
What is the name for voting for the greater good?
Altruistic voting
How does class influence voting behaviour?
Many people vote for the same party all their lives and that choice of party is linked strongly to social class.
Middle and upper class people tend to vote for Conservatives Working class voters tend to vote Labour and SNP
However the extent to which a persons class can predict and explain their voting behaviour has gradually declined since 1974. This can be demonstrated by looking at the fall in the share of the vote gained by the Labour and Conservative parties jointly and to a lesser extent the increase in the number of MPs from other party groups.
What is Peter Pulzer’s quote and when did he say it?
“Class is the basis of British party politics. All else is embellishment and detail.” 1967
How do newspapers impact voting behaviour?
Media is central to voting behaviour in modern Britain.
Newspapers have political bias reflecting the owners view. Getting the owner ‘on your side’ can be key to winning elections. For example Tony Blair ‘wooed’ the owner of the Sun, the UK’s biggest seller.
The Telegraph supports Conservative
The Guardian Labour
Newspapers can set the political agenda by choosing which issues to cover
The probably reinforce attitudes rather than change them.
How does television impact voting behaviour?
It is the most used media form
96% of people watch TV at least once a week, with 25 hours being the weekly average
51% of adults claim TV is their main source of political information
TV is regulated and trusted.
How does the Internet impact voting behaviour?
It is the fastest growing media form
Bias and unregulated although the BBC is an unbiased website.
Political parties all have websites
Politicians use Instagram and Twitter now to increase public involvement as well as online forums
How does apathy and voter turnout impact voting behaviour?
Low turnout is proving a modern trend and there has been a general decline since the height of the 50’s
Turnout is usually around 60%
More 18-34 year olds voted in Big Brother than in the 2005 general election!
However it can be argued that low turnout is an expression of general satisfaction. An extreme threat to people’s way of life would get everyone voting.
What is Tony Blairs famous quote?
“We are all middle class now!” 1997
What does dealignment mean?
The term for the breakdown of class/ voting patterns. Makes Pulzer’s claim less true today.
How can dealignment be explained? Why is it declining?
Greater political awareness and socialisation
Intensive mass media coverage and decline of deference (knowing your place)
Poor performance of governments- not meeting expectations
Decline in strength of ideology
