Voting behaviour general - (4.1) - Voting behaviour and the media - UK Politics Flashcards
Factors explaining outcome of election (x6)
Manifesto & party policies Election campaigns Wider context State of economy Public image of party leaders Government's record
Manifesto definition
the document in which a political party details what actions and programmes it intends to introduce if it is successful in the next election
Up to about 1970 working class people tended to vote for & why
Labour & linked to trade unions who looked after their interests (industry)
Up to about 1970 middle-class tended to vote for
Conservatives
Class voting
Voting in line with the political party that supposedly best protects and serves the interest of a particular class
Why did class begin to lose its importance as a determinant of voting behaviour & when
Due to class dealignment & end of 20th century
Class dealignment
The process where individuals no longer identify themselves as belonging to a certain class and do not vote for the party they may be expected to given their background
Exceptions to class voters Labour
Some of those who worked in the state sector (e.g. middle class teachers) & university intellectuals
Exceptions to class voters Conservative
Patriotic working class voters who valued established institutions e.g. monarchy
Causes of / reasons for class dealignment
More affluent society
Working class aspired to a middle-class life
Sale of council houses to tenants under Thatcher
Decline of old heavy industries reduced trade union power
Service sector expanded
Class & turnout link
Those who have more at risk financially (i.e. richer) more likely to vote than the poor who may feel it doesn’t affect them
2010 class turnout
76% of 2 highest social classes 57% of 2 lowest social classes
2010 property ownership (linked to class) turnout
74% of those who owned homes vs 55% of those who didn’t
Partisan dealignment
The process where individuals no longer identify themselves on a long-term basis as being associated with a certain political party
Causes of partisan dealignment
As people became less likely to work in same industry all their lives their bonds to their party weakened
Disillusion definition
Disappointment from discovering something is not as good as one believed to be. E.g. having no confidence in politicians as being able to solve issues and make a difference
Apathy definition
Lack of interest, enthusiasm or concern. e.g. not caring about political activity, which manifests itself in low turnout at elections and poor awareness of contemporary events
% of voters voting for either Conservatives or Labour 1979 vs 1997 vs 2010
81% vs 74% vs 65%
Rational choice theory
Idea that voters behave like consumers, deciding how to vote by evaluating what is the most beneficial option to them as individuals
Rational choice theory linked to
growth of a more educated electorate with more access to political information
Rational choice theory influenced by questions such as
Who would make best PM?
Who will manage economy best?
Who will provide best quality public services
Governing competency
The perceived ability of the governing party in office to manage the affairs of state effectively. It also applies to the way that voters regard the potential competency of an opposition party, if it were to win office
Economic voting model (variant of rational choice theory)
Voters are more likely to support a party if it has managed the economy successfully
Presidentialisation of PM
UK election campaigns are increasingly shaped by voter’s perceptions of the leading figures. Politics becoming increasingly personalised
Feel good factor
Influences voters as they are likely to vote for who they think will give a feel good factor
Gender voting trends (traditional) & why
women tended to favour Conservative - maybe because women favoured a stable society and appreciated Tory emphasis on family
Gender voting trends under Blair & why
Differences between voting habits lessened. Younger women slightly more likely than men to vote Labour. Women likely to have jobs now and may have appreciated Labour policies such as provision of free nursery places
2010 election women 18-24 voting pattern vs women over 55 (voted conservative)
30% vs 42% voted Conservative
Gender differences in turnout
Not major differences.
2010 66% men 64% women voted
Age as a voting factor
Older tend to vote Conservative - more likely to own property.
Older people voting attitude
less likely to vote idealistically or with aspirations of fundamentally changing society instead likely to vote to protect their material interests.
Also oldies have voting experience and will remember old governments
2010 over 65 vs 18-24 year olds vote for Conservative
44% vs 30%
Age affecting turnout
Old people more likely to vote
2010 age voting turnout
76% over 65 vs 44% 18-24 year olds
Ethnicity voting trend
Ethnic minorities more likely to vote Labour
Asians more likely to vote Conservative
Why are ethnic minorities more likely to vote Labour?
Because they have strongly focused on promoting a multi-cultural and anti-discrimination agenda
Ethnic minority link to class
Ethnic minorities are disproportionatly employed in low wage jobs (working class)
Why are Asians more likely to vote Conservatives?
Because they favour the party’s emphasis on small business values
2010 ethnic minority voting pattern Labour vs Conservative
60% Labour 16 & Conservative
Ethnic minority vs white people voter turnout 2010
51% ethnic minority vs 67% white people
Education in Brexit referendum
75% of those without qualifications voted for Brexit.
75% of those with university degrees voted against Brexit
Regional voting trends
South, rural & suburbs (prosperous areas with high levels of property ownership & employment) typically Conservative (NOT LONDON)
North, Wales, industrial areas, urban areas and a little bit the Midlands - Labour
Link to region and class
South & other areas supporting Conservative tend to be more middle-class.
North & urban areas tend to be more working-class
Turnout class & region trend
South-west 69.1% North-west 62.6%
Link between voting and feeling included in society
Elderly, better-off & whites more likely to believe that can affect the outcomes of elections
Levels of social class high to low
AB, C1, C2, DE
