Social Class Essay Flashcards
Introduction
In the past social class was one of if not the most influential factors in voting behaviour, however now that has changed. Meaning that social class has less of an influence on voting behaviour.
Point 1 for Paragraph 1
In the past social class was an important impact in politics.
Explain 1 for Paragraph 1
Social class is the combination of an individual’s income, wealth, occupation, education, etc. Different parties often had (and still do) targeted policies that effect one social class over the other, this means that members of a specific social class were most likely to vote for that social class.
Example 1 for Paragraph 1
For example, in the 2015 general election 27% members of the AB (higher) social class voted labour and 45% voted conservative whereas, 42% members of the DE (lower) social class voted labour and 27% conservative.
Analysis 1 for Paragraph 1
This shows that in the past social class had a big influence on what party you voted for, certain parties had a bigger influence over certain social classes based on what they strove for in terms of policies. The impact of this was that some parties would never be able to get, or wouldn’t try to get, certain voters to vote for them because they weren’t in the class that the party focused on. This meant that some voters wouldn’t even consider some parties policies because they always voted for the same one.
Point 2 for Paragraph 1
Furthermore, in the past social class was one of if not the most influential factor in poverty.
Explain 2 for Paragraph 1
Example 2 for Paragraph 1
For example, PJ Pulzer stated “class is the basis of all Brits party politics all else is embellishment and detail.”
Analysis 2 for Paragraph 1
Evaluation for Paragraph 1
Overall, in the past social class was a heavy influence on voting with a lot of voters basing who they voted for on the party that focused on their social class as well as this social class was often the most important factor in voting for a lot of voters. So, in the past social class had a big influence on voting.
Point 1 for Paragraph 2
Nowadays, the effect of social class on voting has decreased.
Explain 1 for Paragraph 2
Since the 1970s the influence of social class on voting has decreased, Professor Crewe defines this as the dealignment theory. He says that there has been a decline in people who vote labour and are working class and those who vote conservative and are middle class. So, classes have dealligned from voting for the same parties.
Example 1 for Paragraph 2
For example, in1992 under 20% of members of the AB social class voted labour and just over 30% of members of the DE social class voted conservative. Compared to 2019 where 30% of members of the AB social class vote labour and just over 40% of members of the DE social class voted conservative.
Analysis 1 for Paragraph 1
This shows that social class no longer effects voting a much as it once did, as voters longer vote based on the party that most effects their social class. As well as this the gap between classes and party has closed, as voters are voting out with ‘their party’. Meaning that the class gap in voting is closing. The impact of this is that in the future it is highly possible that there will be no such gap in voting.
Point 2 for Paragraph 2
Furthermore, short term issues have become more of an influence in recent years.
