Voting Behaviour

Question 1

What are the 3 theories of voting behaviour?

Answer 1

1. Sociological - determined by social status (e.g. race, class)
2. Party identification - attachment to a party
3. Issue-voting - party that benefits them most, especially in the short-term

Question 2

What are the 7 long-term factors of voting behaviour?

Answer 2

1. Social class
2. Party loyalty
3. Gender
4. Age
5. Religion
6. Ethnicity
7. Region

Question 3

How has social class influenced voting behaviour?

Answer 3

Until recent class dealignment, the working class backed Labour while the middle class backed Conservative.

Question 4

Which regions historically voted for each main party?

Answer 4

Labour - North England, London, South Wales
Conservative - South England, North Wales

Question 5

What were the turnouts in 2001, 2005, and 2015?

Answer 5

2001 - 59%
2005 - 61%
2015 - 66%

Question 6

Which 5 factors may have contributed to the turnout crisis?

Answer 6

1. Partisan dealignment
2. Declining political engagement
3. Increased ethnic minorities (who are less likely to vote)
4. Negative image of both main parties
5. Lack of ideological space between the parties

Question 7

What are the 6 short-term factors affecting voting behaviour?

Answer 7

1. Policies
2. Economic performance
3. Leaders
4. Party image
5. Campaigning
6. Tactical voting

Question 8

What is tactical voting?

Answer 8

Where people vote for one of the main parties because they fell none of the other can win

Question 9

What are 3 arguments in favour of compulsory voting?

Answer 9

1. Increased turnout
2. More legitimacy for governments
3. Politicians will have to consider everyone as everyone votes

Question 10

What are 3 arguments against compulsory voting?

Answer 10

1. Abuse of freedom
2. Tactical/alphabetical/ill-thought voting
3. Politicians may focus more on the interests of volatile voters

Question 11

What was the minimum voting age for the Scottish Independence referendum?

Answer 11

16

Question 12

What was the minimum voting age for the Brexit referendum?

Answer 12

18

Question 13

What is the UK minimum voting age?

Answer 13

18

Question 14

What are 3 arguments in favour of lowering the voting age?

Answer 14

1. 16-year-olds can do almost everything adults can already
2. Youth interests are neglected by politicians
3. Increased political interest and engagement

Question 15

What are 3 arguments against lowering the voting age?

Answer 15

1. Most 16-year-olds live with their parents and are in education rather than work
2. Turnout percentage may fall as 16-17-year-olds may be less likely to vote