Voting Behaviour Flashcards
(22 cards)
What is voting behaviour?
The study of how and why people vote in elections, including factors like class, age, ethnicity, and media influence
What is the difference between partisan dealignment and partisan alignment?
Alignment: Long-term voter loyalty to a party (e.g., post-war class-party ties).
Dealignment: Decline in long-term party loyalty (e.g., since the 1970s)
What was the dominant voting trend in the UK from 1945–1970?
Class alignment—most working-class voters supported Labour, while middle/upper-class voters backed the Conservatives.
How did the 2017 and 2019 UK elections show age-based voting differences?
Young voters (18–24): Overwhelmingly Labour (e.g., 67% in 2017).
Older voters (65+): Predominantly Conservative (e.g., 64% in 2019).
What is the “gender gap” in voting behaviour?
Women are more likely to support: Left-wing or progressive parties.
Men are more likely to support: Right wing or conservative parties.
What is class dealignment?
The decline in strong ties between social class and voting (e.g., fewer working-class voters supporting Labour).
What is partisan dealignment?
The weakening of long-term loyalty to a political party, leading to more floating voters.
What is the “shy Tory” effect?
Conservatives may underperform in polls because some voters hide their true voting intentions.
How does ethnicity affect voting?
Ethnic minorities (e.g., Black, Asian) tend to vote Labour due to policies on equality and immigration, though some shifts are occurring.
What is valence voting?
Voting based on a party’s perceived competence on key issues (e.g., economy, healthcare) rather than ideology.
What is rational choice theory in voting?
Voters make decisions based on self-interest, evaluating which party benefits them most.
What is turnout and why does it matter?
The percentage of eligible voters who vote. Low turnout can skew results (e.g., older voters dominate)
How do education levels influence voting?
Higher-educated voters often lean left (Labour/Lib Dems), while lower-educated voters may support right-wing/populist parties.
What is the impact of Brexit on voting behaviour?
Created a new divide: Leave voters shifted to Conservatives, Remain voters to Labour/Lib Dems/SNP.
What is issue voting?
Voting based on a single key issue (e.g., Brexit, NHS, immigration)
What are floating voters?
Voters with no strong party loyalty who switch between elections.
How does the media influence voting?
Newspapers (e.g., The Sun) and social media can shape perceptions, e.g., “It’s The Sun Wot Won It” (1992)
What is the North-South divide in UK voting?
The South (wealthier) leans Conservative, while the North (historically industrial) leans Labour (though shifting post-2019).
What is tactical voting?
Voting for a less-preferred party to stop another from winning (e.g., Labour voters backing Lib Dems to defeat Tories).
How do leaders influence voting?
Party leader popularity matters (e.g., Blair’s 1997 win vs. Corbyn’s 2019 loss).
What is the impact of the economy on voting?
Governments often lose if the economy is weak (e.g., 1992 ERM crisis hurt Conservatives).
What is the “red wall” and how did it change?
Traditionally Labour-held Northern seats that turned Conservative in 2019 due to Brexit and cultural shifts.
