▪ Abstract Why is turnout higher in some countries and/or elections than others? does it increase or decrease over time? To address these questions, I start with the pioneer studies of Powell and Jackman then review more recent research. This essay seeks to establish which propositions about causes variations are consistently supported by empirical evidence ones remain ambiguous. point out enigmas gaps field suggest directions for future Most research pertains established democracies, but...

Abstract. We examine turnout in 324 democratic national lower house elections held 91 countries, between 1972 and 1995. rely on Freedom House ratings of political rights to determine whether an election is or not. distinguish three blocs factors that affect turnout: the socio–economic environment, institutions, party systems. show influenced by a great number patterns have been shown prevail studies dealing with more limited samples countries generally hold when we look at larger set...

Abstract Major crises can act as critical junctures or reinforce the political status quo, depending on how citizens view performance of central institutions. We use an interrupted time series to study effect enforcement a strict confinement policy in response COVID‐19 pandemic. Specifically, we take advantage unique representative web‐based survey that was fielded March and April 2020 Western Europe compare support those who took right before after start lockdown their country. find...

Abstract. This article looks at the socio‐demographic sources of turnout decline in Canada. The analysis is based on Canadian Election Studies that have been conducted between 1968 and 2000. There a small period effect which suggests propensity to vote has declined marginally (by about three percentage points) all demographic groups. are substantial life cycle effects – is, shifts within given cohort as members grow older. powerful generation effects: differs among various cohorts even when...

Abstract. This paper examines the record of western democracies to measure impact differing electoral formulae on rate voter turnout. The 509 national elections in 20 countries provides basis for a regression analysis that clearly identifies higher turnout rates PR systems cannot be explained by wide variety control variables or traditional arguments about PR. data also reveal marked increase over last century.

The paper attempts to determine whether parties of the left, when in government, spend more than right. It first reviews theoretical literature and concludes that are likely make a difference, but only modest one. then previous empirical studies, which come out with conflicting results. finally proposes study covers 15 liberal democracies over period 28 years, from 1960 1987, combines longitudinal, cross-sectional, pooled designs. analysis shows left do little however, emerges for majority...

Previous research has shown that those who won an election are more satisfied with the way democracy works than lost. What is not clear, however, whether it fact of winning (losing), per se, generates (dis)satisfaction democracy. The current study explores this winner/loser gap use 1997 Canadian federal panel study. It makes a theoretical and methodological contribution to our understanding factors foster satisfaction At level, we argue voters gain different utility from at constituency...

This article assesses the claim that proportional representation (PR) fosters a closer correspondence between views of citizens and positions government. The study uses Comparative Study Electoral Systems data set compares respondents’ self-placements on Left-Right scale with placements cabinet parties’ locations in 31 election studies. authors argue PR has two contradictory consequences. On one hand, leads to more parties choice for voters; but these are less centrist, this increases...

Scholars generally agree that the electorate's reaction to an election outcome has important systemic consequences. As Ginsberg and Weissberg point out, ‘every represents a test potentially threat support for political regime. Electoral conflicts may strain public acceptance of legal institutional processes.’ The basic idea is regime among citizens in aftermath depends on widespread belief electoral contest been resolved legitimate fashion.

We study the degree of formal influence that rank-and-file members have on selection party leaders in five English-speaking Westminster countries: Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand and United Kingdom. find recent years there has been a general, though not universal, trend towards granting greater choice their leader. observe decision to broaden selectorate made by most parties UK, Canada while Australia generally resisted reform. set out series four hypotheses explaining decisions...

Voter turnout has consistently declined since the 1980s across a wide range of advanced democracies. Much this decline appears to be result young people abstaining. In article authors test two arguments for trend. The first rests on claim that character elections changed, specifically have become less competitive and people’s propensities voting are particularly negatively affected by this. second maintains recent generations different values these value differences explain declines....

Theories of political socialization contain competing expectations about immigrants' potential for resocialization. Premigration beliefs and actions may be resistant to change, exposure the new system facilitate adaptation, or immigrants find ways transfer behaviors from one another. This analysis empirically tests these three alternative theories The results indicate that both matter; there is little evidence premigration are change. Moreover, how adapt depends on which orientation behavior...

Based on recent work that suggests voters in proportional representation (PR) systems have incentives to cast strategic votes, the authors hypothesize levels of voting are similar both first-past-the-post (FPTP) and PR systems. Comparing vote intentions majoritarian elections United States, Mexico, Britain, Israel Netherlands, find a substantial proportion desert their most preferred candidate or party patterns across FPTP bear striking similarities. In every election, smaller parties tend...