40 mark question

1. 40 mark question • Critically examine the view that voting behaviour is no longer class-based, but is determined by a complex mix of economic, cultural and ethnic factors?

2. Map out responses • Historical patterns of voting • Changing patterns of voting • Reasons: • Economic – rise of the New Right; employment changes, • Cultural – differences in voting patterns, influence of globalisation • Ethnic – differences in voting patterns

3. Responses • Discuss the history of voting patterns • Class-based voting patterns • Class and partisan alignment • Political socialisation (Butler) • Give reasons for the above – distinct differences between political parties • Move on to class and partisan dealignment (Sarlvick and Crewe)

4. Expand on economic factors – Thatcherism, decline of manufactoring industry, ideological simililarities between poiltical parties caused by changing economy • Power of the electorate is hijacked by ideology as political parties occupy the centre ground • The above undermines plurality, Elite Theory dominance, Lukes 3rd Dimension