Suchergebnisse

This chapter investigates the amount of variability in individual turnout decisions over time and its dependence on the changing characteristics of political parties as one feature of the political context. Electoral participation in the German federal elections from 1994 to 2013 was characterized by inertia for most eligible voters. However, one reason for dynamics in turnout behavior is changes in individual alienation with regard to the political parties. When voters develop a more favorable view of the political parties than in the previous election in terms of the parties' generalized evaluation or perceived competence, they are motivated to switch from abstention to voting (and vice versa). But the political parties' capacity to raise turnout rates is rather narrow compared to the influence of other determinants, such as the perceived duty to vote.

"The Decision to Vote or to Abstain" published on by Oxford University Press.

Until the mid-1970s, there were two major political parties in Ireland, Fianna Fail & Fine Gael. The former predominated over Irish party politics &, thus, electoral competition. A small Labour Party & a few other insignificant parties held little sway. The party system was stable & without any social basis. In the late 1970s this situation began to change, & in the 1980s it was shattered by the growing number of micro-parties, independents, & pressure groups. This led to negative media coverage & cynicism among the population at large. Voter turnout declined & volatility increased, making the future look bleak for Irish parties. Then, legislation reforms were undertaken to regularize party organization & functions, & the picture began to look brighter. It is hoped that the parties will now move toward the establishment of institutes & promotion of political education so that Ireland can enjoy a stable political party system once more. Tables, References. J. Stanton

"Field Experiments on Political Behavior" published on by Oxford University Press.

Examines institutional barriers to voter turnout in US elections & whether reform of institutional elements, legal rules, & voting facilities could impact voter participation. Factors in the vote decision include electoral costs, choices, & decisiveness. The impact of political institutions on voter turnout is surveyed through an analysis across many countries of the ratio of turnout to voting age population. The impacts of legal rules & voting facilities, including registration processes & polling facilities, are discussed. The basic institutional components of the US are deemed to lower voter participation. 1 Table. L. Collins Leigh

Following an explanation of "generation" in political science & other research, the role of Generation X in the 2000 US presidential elections is considered. Efforts to quicken youth political engagement & capture their affiliation are related, & a comparison of this youth cohort to past cohorts in terms of participation & voting behavior is provided. It is determined that attempts to engage Generation X fell short of goals to reverse traditional electoral apathy, ignorance, & voter turnout. The possibility of a Generation X agenda is addressed in the context of the latter issue, & reasons behind estimates of increased Xer voter turnout are pondered. The implications of the 2000 elections for a true generational identity among Xers are briefly addressed. 4 Figures. J. Zendejas