To Vote or Not to Vote?: The Merits and Limits of Rational Choice Theory - Brossura

Blais, Andre

Brossura

ISBN 10: 0822957345 ISBN 13: 9780822957348

Casa editrice: Univ of Pittsburgh Pr, 2000

Riassunto

What makes people decide to vote? In addressing this simple question, André Blais examines the factors that increase or decrease turnout at the aggregate, cross-national level and considers what affects people’s decision to vote or to abstain. In doing so, Blais assesses the merits and limitations of the rational choice model in explaining voter behavior. The past few decades have witnessed a rise in the popularity of the rational choice model in accounting for voter turnout, and more recently a groundswell of outspoken opposition to rational choice theory.

Blais tackles this controversial subject in an engaging and personal way, bringing together the opposing theories and literatures, and offering convincing tests of these different viewpoints. Most important, he handles the discussion in a clear and balanced manner. Using new data sets from many countries, Blais concludes that while rational choice is an important tool—even when it doesn’t work—its empirical contribution to understanding why people vote is quite limited.

Whether one supports rational choice theory or opposes it, Blais’s evenhanded and timely analysis will certainly be of interest, and is well-suited for advanced undergraduate and graduate-level classes.

Dettagli dell'edizione

• Editore: Univ of Pittsburgh Pr
• Data di pubblicazione: 2000
• Lingua: Inglese
• ISBN 10: 0822957345
• ISBN 13: 9780822957348
• Rilegatura: Copertina flessibile
• Numero di pagine: 200
• Contatto del produttore: non disponibile
• Persona responsabile: non disponibile