Theories of Voting Behaviour 20 Marker

Question 1

Intro

Answer 1

Psephology is the study if voting behaviour and there are three main theories which are said to be relevant in explaining voting patterns. The sociological theory is not as relevant as it used to be. It will be argued the rational choice theory is more relevant than the sociological theory. This essay will also examine the relevance of the PID theory.

Question 2

Sociological - Point

Answer 2

Argued by some to be the most relevant theory

Question 3

Sociological - Explain

Answer 3

Based on long term factors & the idea that voters favour a party based on social class with parties appealing to certain parties

Peter Pulzer “ class is the basis of British party politics; all else is embellishment & detail”

Middle-class likely to vote Cons, working-class likely to vote Labour

Question 4

Sociological - Example

Answer 4

1966 75% of ABC1 voted Cons whereas 25% voted Labour

Question 5

Sociological - Analysis

Answer 5

Highly relevant in the past due to majority of working-class voting Labour & majority of middle-class people voting Cons

Voters categorised as working or middle-class due to high levels of absolute class voting

Question 6

Sociological - Rebuttal Point

Answer 6

Relevance of the theory questioned due to a significant decline in class-based voting

Question 7

Sociological - Rebuttal Explain

Answer 7

Due to a rise in class de-alignment in recent years

Weakening relationship between social class & party support

Due to decline in manual labour industries & improved access to education

Question 8

Sociological - Rebuttal Example

Answer 8

2019 48% C2DE voted Cons compared to 43% of ABC1

Question 9

Sociological - Rebuttal Analysis

Answer 9

Doesn’t hold as much relevance as it used to as class is no longer the most important factor when it comes to voting

Absolute class voting declined to an all time low

Question 10

Rational - Point

Answer 10

Can be argued as the most relevant theory of voting behaviour

Question 11

Rational - Explain

Answer 11

Views voters as consumers who vote based of their self-interests

Like customers who have different needs & wants, they vote on a party who’ll improve their circumstances

Question 11

Rational - Example

Answer 11

Economy usually a key issue & the 2010 & 2015 election, the Cons seen more competent than Labour

Question 12

Rational - Analysis

Answer 12

Holds significant importance

Relevance more important in today’s political climate than any other time

Clear if the economy is doing well, voters chose a party who’s doing well with the economy

Question 13

Rational - Rebuttal Point

Answer 13

More prevalent in countries where electorate are more educated & have access to media outlets

Question 14

Rational - Rebuttal Example

Answer 14

Brexit key issue in 2017 & 2019 General Election

Voters having extensive media access on the issue, helping them make a rational choice

Question 15

Rational - Rebuttal Analysis

Answer 15

Effective to a certain extent

Those with media access are able to gain a better understanding on issues compared to those with limited access being unable to make a rational choice

Question 16

PID - Point

Answer 16

Argued to hold some relevance

Question 17

PID - Explain

Answer 17

Based on psychological attachment people have towards parties

These voters known as “partisan voters” who show bias towards ‘their party’ even if they’re not doing a good job

Question 18

PID - Example

Answer 18

2005 40% social class DE voted Labour when they weren’t the best option

Question 19

PID - Analysis

Answer 19

Highly relevant due to large amount of voters consistently remaining loyal to their party despite them not best suiting their needs

Question 20

PID - Rebuttal Point

Answer 20

Relevance can be questioned due to failing to address de-alignment & today’s issues

Question 21

PID - Rebuttal Explain

Answer 21

Fails to address evidence of de-alignment with some arguing class support for parties has started declining

Fails to take individual interests into account

Question 22

PID - Rebuttal Example

Answer 22

Support for the 2 main parties has declined from over 95% in 1950’s to around 68% in 2015 voting behaviour has become more volatile

Question 23

PID - Rebuttal Analysis

Answer 23

Not as relevant as it used to be due to failing to take issues into account

Evidence of decline is 1974 29% of voters were partisans compared to 9% in 2005

Question 24

Conclusion

Answer 24

Rational most important in explaining behaviour in recent elections

Elections pre-70’s sociological dominant but declined due to de-alignment & voter’s increase in political literacy

PID less relevant due to decline in party loyalty

Means rational is most relevant due to increased media access

De-alignment has weakened links between class & voting behaviour

Voters more volatile leading to attachments to political parties

Increase in floating voters more likely to be influenced by short-term factors such as party policies

2017 election saw changes in support for parties during campaigns due to effectiveness of Labour’s campaign, poor reaction to Cons manifesto & improving perceptions of Corbyn’s leadership