4.1 Voting Behaviour and the Media Flashcards
What are the 3 individual voting theories?
- valence
- rational choice
- issue based voting
What is ‘valence’?
When an individual votes based on how they perceive a candidate to best run the country. People base their votes off the character of the leader or party.
What does governing competency mean?
The perceived ability of the in office party to govern.
What is rational choice voting?
When people vote for a party that best represents their best interests.
What is ‘issue’ voting?
When an individual votes based on a big issue that is important to them
What is an opinion poll?
Polls used to establish voting behaviour.
What demographic issues were at play in the 1979 general election?
There was a decline in the number of people who described themselves working class. The middle class group size was also growing
Why was valence a big factor in determining voting behaviour in the 1997 general election?
The 1978-1979 Winter of Discontent played a big role for voters, rising energy bills, unemployment and high inflation lead to Labour being questioned over economic management.
What valence issues were at play in the 1997 general election?
Describe the campaign of John Major in the run up to the 1997 general election?
Major campaigned for 6 weeks rather than 4 and got caught up in sleeze allegations against his own party
Describe the campaign of Tony Blair in the 1997 general election?
Blair campaigned on the differences between himself and Major. He also drew support from the Sun
What social factors were significant in the 1983 election?
Traditional class, region and age dominated.
What individual voting factors were at play in the 1983 general election?
Rational choice with Thatcher perceived to have the charisma and leadership who had the policies to run the country
What individual voting factors were at play in the 1997 election?
Valance. Major was seen as weak due to sleeze allegations. Blair more charismatic with a set of new, neo liberal, policies that could govern a country
What individual voting factor was significant in the 2017 general election?
Issue voting, Brexit.
Valence had some significance over Corbyn
