As any interested follower of my little blog may know, I spent last semester studying the history of race. I feel as though studying the history of racism and resistance movements opened my eyes and my mind up to field of study and a portion of the world that I had previously found myself ignorant … Continue reading White Flight
politics
Reasons for the increase in voter turnout in the 2008 United States presidential election
Voting behavioural theory states that voters vote based on a number of key factors – region, race, gender, age, etc – meaning that any if these factors could explain the increase in voter turnout in the 2008 presidential election. Whilst neither presidential candidate was a woman, the vice presidential candidates offered some choice. However, in … Continue reading Reasons for the increase in voter turnout in the 2008 United States presidential election
How important is ‘issue voting’ in the US?
De-aligned voters are more likely to vote for candidates because of their views on specific issues, particularly in the age of single-issue politics, with economic issues usually being the most significant. Policies can be an important determinant of voting. Which policies they are tends to vary from one election cycle to another. The state of … Continue reading How important is ‘issue voting’ in the US?
What is the difference between aligned and de-aligned voting? Answer with reference to the USA
The term ‘aligned’ or ‘de-aligned voter’ refers to partisan alignment; the party identification of most voters with the two main parties is strong, and it is difficult to establish new alignments. Partisan alignment places emphasis on primacy or long-term factors, whereas a de-aligned voter may focus on recency factors. Primacy factors include income, race, religion, … Continue reading What is the difference between aligned and de-aligned voting? Answer with reference to the USA
What is the impact of democratic overload in USA elections? (Short essay)
It has been a little while since I posted something with a bit more meat to its bones, so here is a short essay on US politics - What is the impact of democratic overload in USA elections? It is paradoxical that in the country that is the world’s greatest advocate of democracy, turnout at … Continue reading What is the impact of democratic overload in USA elections? (Short essay)
What are ‘swing voters’ and how important are they in the USA? (Short essay)
Also known as ‘floating voters’ in the UK and ‘independent’ in the USA, swing voters are de-aligned and lack strong party identification, and their votes cannot be predicted or taken for granted. They are targeted in campaigns and can be crucial in deciding elections, especially in swing states. Approximately 30% of voters describe themselves as … Continue reading What are ‘swing voters’ and how important are they in the USA? (Short essay)
Explain the importance of religion as a voting factor in the USA (Short essay)
The USA is unusual (in comparison with Britain) in that religious identity has strongly influenced voting behaviour. Religion has an important impact in how the voter looks at specific issues, such as abortion, homosexuality, the environment, and economics. The voter then uses his or her response to these issues as a guideline to help determine … Continue reading Explain the importance of religion as a voting factor in the USA (Short essay)
Explain the ‘gender gap’ which exists in the USA (short essay)
The ‘gender gap’ refers to the different voting patterns of men and women found in all modern elections, although the gap narrows or widens at each election as voters respond to different candidates and issues. In elections, the Republican Party receives a majority of votes from men, and the Democratic Party a majority of votes … Continue reading Explain the ‘gender gap’ which exists in the USA (short essay)
Explain the increasing importance of the Hispanic vote in the United States (short essay)
The USA is made up of various immigrant groups with different cultural identities and traditions. It has assimilated new immigrants, from the first WASP settlers, through waves of European immigration, and more recently to immigrants from Asia and Latin America. The most significant minority racial groups in the American electorate are African-Americans and Hispanics. Hispanics … Continue reading Explain the increasing importance of the Hispanic vote in the United States (short essay)
Explain the importance of race and ethnicity in voting behaviour in the USA (Short Essay)
The USA is made up of various immigrant groups with different cultural identities and traditions. It has assimilated new immigrants, from the first WASP settlers, through waves of European immigration, and more recently to immigrants from Asia and Latin America. The most significant minority racial groups in the American electorate are African-Americans and Hispanics. The … Continue reading Explain the importance of race and ethnicity in voting behaviour in the USA (Short Essay)
The Historian's Apprentice 