Democracy: Voting Behaviour Flashcards
1
Q
Introduction
A
- Voting behaviour form political behaviour.
- Understanding voters’ behaviour - how and why decisions made - public decision-makers or electorate.
- Several factors affecting voting behaviour:
- Short-term factors - media, party image, leadership style, policy issues
- Long-term factors - age, social class, ethnicity, gender, religion
2
Q
Social Class
A
- From 1945 to 1970 clear link between a person’s voting behaviour and class.
- At this time, 65% working-class people voted Labour while 85% middle-class voted Conservative.
- Social class affects turnout.
- Glasgow North East turnout 2015 was 56.8%.
- Turnout influenced by social class - higher incomes more likely to vote.
- Evidence in 2016 that Scots higher income return to Conservatives.
- Highly affluent area, Eastwood, turnout 68.3% - Less affluent area, Glasgow Pollock, few miles away turnout 45.5%
However, •Since 1970s, social class increasingly irrelevant factor due to class dealignment.
- Since 1970, due to class dealignment decline in importance of class determine voting behaviour.
- Recent elections provided evidence social class no longer important shaping political attitudes.
- For example, 1974, Labour won 57%of working-class votes but, 2010 General Election fallen 40%.
- Clearly indicates social class not as important due to dealignment to blame.
3
Q
Media
A
- Very important in recent elections - 2010 General Election 9.4 million people watched first live TV debate - The Sun newspaper read by 8 million people everyday.
- Furthermore, the UK buy more newspapers per head of population than any other European countries - Guardian ins 2010 reported that 12-13 million people read newspapers on a regular basis.
•Politicians actively seek support of newspapers suggest they recognise the influence the media has over people.
However,
•Could be argued the media, regarding newspapers, reflect prevailing public opinions.
- For example, in 2007, both the Sun and Daily Record supported Labour (in Scottish Parliament) but, hostile to SNP.
- But, SNP won - showing a clearly complex relationship between voters and media.
- Furthermore, Prof. John Curtice argues evidence that newspapers have zero influence - believes we buy a newspaper that reflects our viewpoint reassuring us - its vital newspapers must reflect views of its readers.
- No one, especially the Sun, wants to back a loser.
4
Q
Ethnicity
A
- Traditionally, Conservatives struggled to win support of tunic minorities.
- Party had reputation of ‘nasty party’ as indifferent to the needs of ethnic minority been hard for the party to escape from.
- Despite affluence of many minority voters and Conservatives having high profile minority representatives.
- For example, in 2015 General Election, 2 out of 3 BME voters supported Labour.
- Furthermore, 23% BME voted Conservatives compared to 65% BME voted Labour - significantly higher.
However, •Social class more important than ethnicity.
- Social class links in due to race inequality, ethnic minorities - more likely to be lower social class than whites - those of lower social class more likely to vote Labour than Conservative.
- For example, blacks more likely to live in poorer inner city areas and have low income - links to social class aspect.
5
Q
Age
A
- Determines who a person votes and if they will even vote at all.
- Young voters traditionally vote Labour - Older voters vote Conservatives.
- Due to perception Conservative Party will favour more traditional views.
- Furthermore, in 2005 UK General Elections, voting much higher in elderly groups (65 and over)- older voters more likely to vote than 18 to 26 years olds - 75% versus 37%.
However,
•Can be argued in 2010 General Election, age played less an influence as Conservatives better among younger voters - maintained core elderly voters.
- 30% of those aged 18-24 voted Conservatives - only 1 point behind Labour at 31%.
- Performed better than Labour in 25-24 age group by 5%.
