1. Campaigns and Political Participation
March 16, 2010
Campaigns and Political Participation

2. Announcements
Remember that essays are due this Thursday, March 18 at 4pm
All module information is available at NOT webct!

3. 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?

4. 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.

5. 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?

6. Trends in Voter Turnout

7. Trends in Voter Turnout in the UK

8. Trends in Voter Turnout in the US
VAP=Voting age population (includes everyone over 18, non citizens, felons, etc;
VEP=Voting eligible population

9. 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

10. Convenience and Cost

11. Impact of Compulsory Voting on Turnout in Australia

12. Impact of the (abolition) of Compulsory Voting on Turnout in the Netherlands

13. Lack of Salience (Cost)

14. Lack of Salience (Cost)

15. Party Mobilisation in Comparative Perspective (Reduced Cost/Increase Benefit)

16. Party Mobilisation and Electoral Competition

17. Declining Benefits
Source: Dalton (2004)

18. Are the media to blame?
Source: Putnam (2000)

19. Changes in Attitudes During a Campaign

21. Political Participation in Comparative Perspective
Source: Comparative Study of Electoral Systems (CSES), Module 2, 2004

23. Summary
Can pB + D > C explain political engagement?