Voters Under Pressure: Group-Based Cross-Pressure and Electoral Volatility

This book investigates changes in voters' electoral choices over time and how these changes are linked to a growth in electoral volatility. Ruth Dassonneville's core argument is that group-based cross-pressures lead to instability in voters' choices, as they affect the extent to which citizens' voting decision process is structured. The book uses election survey data from eight established democracies to test this argument, and finds that group-based cross-pressures are an important source of instability.

Format: Hardback
Length: 368 pages
Publication date: 20 December 2022
Publisher: Oxford University Press

This comprehensive book delves into the profound shifts in voters' electoral preferences over time, shedding light on the intricate connections between these changes and the rise in electoral volatility. Authored by Ruth Dassonneville, a renowned expert in political behavior, the book presents a compelling core argument supported by extensive empirical evidence. Dassonneville argues that group-based cross-pressures play a significant role in destabilizing voters' choices, leading to a lack of constraint in their voting decision-making process.

According to her theory, when citizens' socio-demographic characteristics and their membership in social groups do not consistently align them with a particular party, but rather create conflicting pressures between parties, their voting decision-making becomes less guided and constrained. Consequently, individuals who are subjected to group-based cross-pressures tend to exhibit weaker attachments to political parties, find it more challenging to assess the state of the economy, formulate positions on issues, and evaluate leaders.

The book employs a multi-faceted approach to test this argument, drawing upon election survey data from eight established democracies. These data, complemented with data from the European Election Studies project and election study panels, provide a rich source of information that allows for a comprehensive analysis of voting behavior and its correlates across decades. Through meticulous research and analysis, the book demonstrates that group-based cross-pressures are a vital source of instability, as they significantly impact the structure of citizens' voting decision-making process.

One notable finding is that cross-pressured voters exhibit greater ambivalence between parties, leading to a more nuanced and complex decision-making process. They are more likely to switch parties from one election to the next, reflecting their ongoing search for a political home that aligns with their diverse interests and values. This dynamic contributes to the increased volatility of electoral outcomes, as voters become more susceptible to external influences and less committed to established political parties.

Comparative Politics, as a series dedicated to researchers, teachers, and students of political science, offers valuable insights into contemporary government and politics on a global scale. By exploring the dynamics of voter behavior and the factors shaping electoral outcomes, this book provides a comprehensive framework for understanding the complex dynamics of modern politics. Whether one is an academic, practitioner, or simply interested in the study of politics, this book serves as a valuable resource for gaining a deeper understanding of the forces shaping our political landscape.

Weight: 722g
Dimension: 165 x 240 x 29 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780192894137