march 16, 2011. announcements remember that essays are due this thursday, march 17 at 4pm all...
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Voter Turnout Turnout in comparative perspective. What is low? How (and why) does voter turnout change over time? The role of age and education Does low voter turnout matter?TRANSCRIPT
March 16, 2011
Announcements
Remember that essays are due this Thursday, March 17 at 4pm
All module information is available at www.jkarp.com/s2010 NOT webct!
Voter Turnout
Turnout in comparative perspective. What is low? How (and why) does voter turnout change over time? The role of age and education Does low voter turnout matter?
Voting is the most common form of political participation
Many people also talk about politics and try to persuade others to vote
Very few participate in any other specific way.
Why do people vote?
Voting is the most common form of political participation. Voting is a “collective good” which means that citizens can
enjoy the benefits (ie. policies derived from electoral outcomes) without paying the costs.
Rational citizens may then choose not to vote. Why then do people vote?
Trends in Voter Turnout
Trends in Voter Turnout in the UK
Trends in Voter Turnout in the US
VAP=Voting age population (includes everyone over 18, non citizens, felons, etc;VEP=Voting eligible population
Theories of Voter Turnout
pB + D > C B=collective benefits of voting (ie. Having desired
candidate win) P=Probability of deriving that benefit D=Civic duty (or any other selective benefit) C=Cost of voting
Convenience and Cost
Impact of Compulsory Voting on Turnout in Australia
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
1901
1906
1913
1917
1922
1928
1931
1937
1943
1949
1954
1958
1963
1969
1974
1977
1983
1987
1993
1998
First Compulsory Voting Election
Impact of the (abolition) of Compulsory Voting on Turnout in the Netherlands
Lack of Salience (Cost)
Lack of Salience (Cost)
Party Mobilisation in Comparative Perspective (Reduced Cost/Increase Benefit)
Party Mobilisation and Electoral Competition
Declining Benefits
Source: Dalton (2004)
Are the media to blame?
Source: Putnam (2000)
Changes in Attitudes During a Campaign
Political Participation in Comparative Perspective
Source: Comparative Study of Electoral Systems (CSES), Module 2, 2004
Summary
Can pB + D > C explain political engagement?