campaigns and political participation

March 16, 2010

Announcements

Remember that essays are due this Thursday, March 18 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?