Political Culture And Voting Behaviour Questions Flashcards
What is protest voting?
An individual casts a vote against his/her usual party of choice to send a message to that party, often regarding a particular policy or the party’s conduct in government.
What is tactical voting?
An individual votes for a candidate other than their first choice in order to prevent a third, even less ‘desirable’ candidate from being elected.
Some commentators argue that tactical voting at 2010 general election served to deny the conservative party becomes a majority
Why does protest voting most often take place in contests between general elections?
Most people engaging in protest voting do not want to see their party lose a general election; they want to register their disquiet over the direction of party policy. Protest voting between general elections is relatively low risk.
Explain the purpose of election campaigns
Election campaigns are a strategic effort by political parties and candidates to maximise their boats in an election
What is a manifesto?
A pre-election document produced by each political party outlining its proposals and pledges the government if it were to win.
The drafting of a manifesto can be contentious because the party leadership is reluctant to take instructions as to its contacts
Victory gives a party mandate policies. True or false?
True. Policies are presented in the party’s manifesto and victory is seen as an electoral mandate to implement those policies. For example, the Labour government increased the minimum wage after the 2001 general election because such an increase was promised in its manifesto of the voters had approved the policy.
The outcome of the 2010 general election has raised questions about the mandate. Nobody voted for the Coalition Agreement, which only emerged as a result of negotiations after the general election.
