voting behaviour

Voter Turnout

The percentage of eligible voters who actually cast a ballot in an election.

Paradox of Voting

The concept that, in large elections, the probability that an individual's vote will be decisive is extremely low, making the utility of voting negative for rational voters.

Rational Voting Model

A framework suggested by Anthony Downs, refined by Riker and Ordershook, where the probability of voting is determined by the formula V = pB - C + D.

Efficacy

The perception that one's vote counts and the belief that one understands political processes.

Cleavage Voting

A voting behavior defined by social divisions, such as class, religion, or ideology that influence voting patterns.

Party Identification

The political party that an individual associates with or feels loyal to, often influencing their voting behavior.

Dealignment

The trend where voters are increasingly separating from traditional party affiliations, leading to less predictable voting patterns.

Post-materialism

A shift in values from economic security and physical needs to personal autonomy, self-expression, and social issues.

Issue Voting

Voting based on specific issues that are important to the voter, comparing party positions on these issues.

Valence Voting

A voting theory where individuals choose parties based on their perceived ability to deliver on broadly supported issues, such as economy and crime.

Strategic Voting

When a voter casts their ballot not for their preferred candidate, but for a candidate more likely to win, in order to influence the election outcome.

Alford Index

A measure used to calculate class voting, defined as the percentage of working-class voters who vote for a left-wing party minus the percentage of non-working-class voters who do so.

New Labour

The political strategy of the Labour Party in the UK, particularly under Tony Blair, promoting a centrist approach and leading to a significant political realignment.

Civic Duty (D)

The intrinsic motivation to participate in voting based on a sense of obligation or civic responsibility.

Economic Voting

Voters' behaviors influenced by the performance of the economy, leading to favoring or punishing the ruling party based on economic conditions.

Temporal Perspective

The way voters view their decisions, focusing on past performance (retrospective) or future expectations (prospective).

Sincere Voting

Voting for the candidate whose policies align most closely with a voter's ideal preferences.

Tactical Voting

Voting to influence the outcome of an election, choosing a candidate not necessarily aligned with personal preferences but with better chances of winning.