Partisan Dealignment 20 Marker Flashcards
(16 cards)
What is partisan dealignment?
The weakening of traditional class-based party loyalties, leading to more volatile and unpredictable voting behaviour
Partisan dealignment reflects a shift away from strong identification with a single political party.
Which class traditionally supported Labour in the UK?
The working class
This support was a prominent feature of UK politics in the post-war era.
What class traditionally voted Conservative in the UK?
The middle class
This pattern was established during the post-war period.
Who famously stated that ‘Class is the basis of British party politics’?
Peter Pulzer
This statement was made in the 1960s and highlights the importance of class in political affiliation.
What trend was observed from the 1970s onwards in voting behaviour?
Partisan dealignment
This trend indicated that voters no longer identified strongly with a single party.
What factor contributed to the rise of a more consumerist political culture?
Individualisation
Voters began to behave like consumers, seeking policies that align with their personal interests.
What does rational choice theory suggest about voters?
Voters are less ideologically loyal and influenced by short-term factors
These factors include party leaders, manifesto promises, and recent performance.
What event in 2010 exemplified voter abandonment of party loyalty?
The Liberal Democrat tuition fee U-turn
This led many Liberal Democrat voters to abandon the party.
What major political event in 2019 influenced former Labour voters to switch to the Conservatives?
Brexit and Jeremy Corbyn’s unpopularity
This shift was particularly noted in ‘Red Wall’ constituencies.
What sociological reason contributed to the decline of Labour’s traditional voter base?
Deindustrialisation and the shift to a service economy
This weakened the Labour Party’s support from trade unions and working-class towns.
How did local identities affect political identities in working-class communities?
Eroded connections to class-based political identities
This was particularly observed in northern towns that switched to Conservative in 2019.
What factors have contributed to issue-based voting?
Rise of education, environmental issues, immigration, and national identity
These factors have shifted voting behaviour away from loyalty-based voting.
Which demographic is more likely to vote based on progressive values?
Younger voters
They often prioritize progressive issues over traditional class affiliations.
What has the growth of social media and 24-hour news influenced in voting?
Exposure to a wider range of political messages
This has made it easier for voters to switch allegiances.
What did YouGov polling in 2024 indicate about voter party identification?
Fewer voters identify with a party in a consistent or long-term way
This confirms ongoing dealignment in voting behaviour.
What major shift does sociologists link to voting patterns and partisan dealignment?
The weakening of traditional class and party ties
This shift has been driven by social and economic change, individualisation, and an issue-focused electorate.
