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14 - Voter behaviour

from Part III - Elections

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 June 2012

Rodney Smith
Affiliation:
University of Sydney
Ariadne Vromen
Affiliation:
University of Sydney
Ian Cook
Affiliation:
Murdoch University, Western Australia
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Summary

This chapter is the one most strongly underpinned by the behavioural approach outlined in Chapter 3. It examines existing models for understanding why Australians vote the way they do and evaluates whether new models explain an increase in voter support for minor parties and a diminishing of strong identification with the major parties. The research is largely based on sample surveys of individuals, and the Australian findings are related to general models of voter behaviour developed internationally. These findings and models can usefully be measured against the expectations of voter behaviour contained in rival theories of democracy (Chapter 1). To the extent that the findings and models suggest voting is related to class, gender and other socio-economic identities, they also contribute to an understanding of the critical theories outlined in Chapter 4. Given that the newer models of voting suggest a breaking down of sociological explanations, the connections with post-structuralism are also clear (see Chapter 5).

Type
Chapter
Information
Contemporary Politics in Australia
Theories, Practices and Issues
, pp. 152 - 162
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2012

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References

LeDuc, L Niemi, R Norris, P 2010 Comparing democracies 3: elections and voting in global perspective Sage, London
McAllister, I 1992 Political behaviour: citizens, parties and elites in Australia, Longman Cheshire Melbourne
Rose, R McAllister, I 1990 The loyalty of voters Sage London

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