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Voting behaviour - Theories of voting - Sociological model

6 important questions on Voting behaviour - Theories of voting - Sociological model

What is the sociological model?

This links voting behaviour to group membership, suggesting that this reflects the economic and social position of the group

What does it mean that the sociological model links voting behaviour to group membership?

This suggests that electors tend to adopt a voting pattern that reflects the economic and social position of the group to which they belong.

What does the sociological model highlight?

The importance of social alignment (reflects the divisions and tensions within society)

-Political preferences, and hence voting behaviour, is influenced by group identity (social class, religion, ethnicity).

What were the traditional cleavages that were formed around 1900 and what are the new cleavages?

Traditional:
- Social class: owner//worker
- Religious and secular: religious//state
- Urban area//rural area
- Centre//periphery.

New. Around:
- Education
- Generation
- Urban-rural and centre-periphery divide

What are the critiques on the sociological model?

In focusing on social groups, it ignores the individual and the role of personal self-interest.

What is the difference between the sociological model and the socio psychological model?

Socio-psychological model:
- Political preferences, and hence voting behaviour, is influenced by party identification.
- Political socialization by parents: period where we form our values and beliefs.

Sociological model:
-Political preferences, and hence voting behaviour, is influenced by group identity (social class, religion, ethnicity).