Voter choice

Question 1

What are the 2 theories of voter choice?

Answer 1

1. Rational thinking.

2. Social-psychological thinking.

Question 2

Describe the rational choice theory:

Answer 2

Parties are competing for votes as in a market place and as such must present policies that appeal to the largest proportion of the voters.
It assumes that voters think based on short-term influences and make their decision in regards to their own personal benefit.
Therefore the assumption must be made that voters have complete information and also reassess at each election.

Question 3

Describe the social-psychological theory:

Answer 3

This is based more on long-term influence and is concerned with early party attachment. It argues that voters are influenced based on the social groups around them and their upbringing to which they may have had an exposure to a particular party.

Question 4

Long-term influences:

Answer 4

Social background, upbringing, party identification, attachment to different social groups and ideologies or political beliefs and values.

Question 5

Short-term influences:

Answer 5

Proposed policy and government composition. The leadership of each party, the media coverage. Economic state of the nation. Opinion polls and debates.

Question 6

What were the early influences of how people voted?

Answer 6

1. Social class (wealthy - poor)

2. Rural or urban.

Question 7

How does the modern voter make their decision?

Answer 7

There has been an increase in the influence of short-term and rational decision making. This is due to the fact that much of the youth of today are less ideologically inclined. However, there is still long-term influences and party attachments that can sway any decision during the course of a campaign.

Question 8

Split voting:

Answer 8

This is when a voter casts their party vote for a particular party but then casts their electorate vote for a candidate in another party.

Question 9

Why do people split vote?

Answer 9

The prevalence of split votes in NZ is relatively high at 30.7% in 2011. Some say it is due to confusion. However it can also be a strategic vote in order to avoid a wasted vote in an unwinnable electorate. Therefore the vote would be trying to prevent an opposition from winning rather than trying to help their own electorate win. They may also be done in order to ensure threshold parties win representation or to help a coalition partner.

Question 10

Volatility of voters:

Answer 10

This refers to how voters may change their vote over time or in reference to when a voter actually makes up their mind about who they want to vote for. This is much more relevant to the rational model of voter choice.

Question 11

Why might voters be more volatile?

Answer 11

These will usually be voters with no real party affiliation or political ideology. Therefore they are more rational in their decision. It could also be argued that these voters might be more politically educated, however this is a rather harsh judgement against those who vote due to their party affiliation.