Week 5: Political preference Flashcards
What are political preferences?
Attitudes and preferences of individuals or groups toward political parties, candidates, policies, and issues that shape voting decisions and support for political agendas.
How does class traditionally influence political preferences?
Lower-class individuals are more likely to favour redistribution and vote for left-wing parties, while higher-class individuals favour a laissez-faire economy and vote for right-wing parties.
what is Laissez-faire economy?
An economic philosophy of free-market capitalism that opposes government intervention.
What major shift has occurred in class voting patterns over time?
The link between class and voting choices has weakened due to factors like deindustrialization, changes in the party system, and post-industrial transformations.
What is Conservative laissez-faire economic policy
- advocates for minimal got intervention in the economy (e.g. lower taxes, deregulation, privatisation, and free market emphasis)
Why do some higher class now also turn to some Labour’s policy
Higher class have more ED thus progressive attitudes they are appealed to Labour’s progressive policies
What is the bi-dimensional political spectrum?
A political spectrum with two dimensions: the traditional economic left/right cleavage and a cultural dimension distinguishing libertarian Green Parties from authoritarian radical-right parties
what do radical right parties support?
Strong anti-establishment discourse against mainstream politics -> populism, oppose migrants (anti-islam), cultural issues and national identity
what do green parties support?
environmental issues, human rights, social justice, democracy, peace
Who is Ronald Inglehart, and what is his theory?
focuses on post-materialism, suggesting that societies would become more equal and focus on issues like freedom of speech and gender equality. He noted a counter-trend with rising distrust in globalization.
what is Inglehart’s Scarcity Hypothesis?
people’s values are shaped by their environment, especially during their formative years. When resources are scarce, people prioritize materialist values. Conversely, in times of abundance, they focus on post-materialist concerns.
what is the difference between materialist and post-materialist values?
Materialist Values prioritise economic and physical security (seen in developing country with lack of resources)
Post materialist emphasise self-expression, environmental protection, quality of life, and participatory democracy (seen in developed countries)
What is Inglehart’s Socialisation Hypothesis
Younger generations growing up in conditions of economic stability and security are more likely to adopt post-materialist values than older generations.
What are the primary reasons lower-class individuals now support radical-right parties?
Economic insecurities, political distrust, and cultural factors such as nativism and fear of multiculturalism as a threat.
How does education affect political preferences?
Higher education correlates with support for progressive parties and positive attitudes toward immigration due to increased awareness of issues like climate change and cultural diversity.
What is the “competitive threat” model in attitudes towards immigration?
A theory suggesting economic and cultural fears drive anti-immigrant attitudes, such as labor market competition and fear of losing national identity.
How do socialisation agents influence political preferences?
Agents like family, schools, and media shape political attitudes through direct transmission of values and exposure to ideas, often reinforcing existing beliefs or echo chambers.
What is “Marital Homogamy” and its political relevance?
The tendency to choose partners with similar socioeconomic backgrounds, reinforcing political preferences within households.
How does education contribute to libertarian attitudes?
Education fosters psychological security, cultural tolerance, and cognitive sophistication, which contribute to openness towards immigrants and progressive policies.
What role does economic evaluation play in anti-immigrant attitudes?
- Egocentric view: how will immigration affects me directly -> their job and income
- Socioeconomic view: how will it affect the economy and society as a whole -> loss of culture and national identity, loss of welfare, HC benefits, resoures, etc.
What is “nativism,” and how does it relate to political preferences?
Nativism combines nationalism and xenophobia, often leading to support for radical-right parties due to cultural fears and opposition to immigration.
How do higher-educated individuals differ from lower-educated individuals in their voting patterns in the UK?
Higher-educated individuals tend to support progressive parties like Labour, while lower-educated individuals are more likely to support conservative parties.
What is the “silent counter-revolution,” and how does it contrast with post-materialism?
The silent counter-revolution refers to the rise of radical-right parties and distrust in globalisation, opposing the optimistic, equality-focused trends predicted by post-materialism.
What impact has deindustrialization had on political preferences?
It reduced the size of the working class, weakened traditional labor-party affiliations, and increased support for radical-right parties among economically insecure individuals.
How do primary and secondary socialisation groups differ in political influence?
Primary groups like family and friends shape foundational political attitudes, while secondary groups like schools and media reinforce or expand these beliefs through broader social exposure.
What is the relationship between education and attitudes toward climate change?
Higher-educated individuals are more aware of and concerned about environmental issues, leading to stronger support for Green parties and progressive climate policies.
