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A rational choice model of citizen participation in high and low commitment electoral activities

Author

Listed:
  • Barbara Norrander
  • Bernard Grofman

Abstract

Weisberg and Grofman (1981) propose a rational choice model of voter turnout which they test with data from the 1976 Presidential election. We extend and generalize that model to cover a wide variety of forms of electoral participation including working on a campaign, wearing campaign buttons, and talking to others about the campaign. We find that voters who see a difference between the candidates, with one candidate positively evaluated and the other negatively, are roughly twice as likely to participate in high involvement electoral activities as are those who are alienated from or indifferent to the candidates. Copyright Kluwer Academic Publishers 1988

Suggested Citation

  • Barbara Norrander & Bernard Grofman, 1988. "A rational choice model of citizen participation in high and low commitment electoral activities," Public Choice, Springer, vol. 57(2), pages 187-192, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:pubcho:v:57:y:1988:i:2:p:187-192
    DOI: 10.1007/BF00052406
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Bernard Grofman, 1983. "Models of voter turnout: a brief idiosyncratic review," Public Choice, Springer, vol. 41(1), pages 55-61, January.
    2. repec:cup:apsrev:v:60:y:1966:i:01:p:29-38_12 is not listed on IDEAS
    3. Anthony Downs, 1957. "An Economic Theory of Political Action in a Democracy," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 65(2), pages 135-135.
    4. repec:cup:apsrev:v:62:y:1968:i:01:p:25-42_11 is not listed on IDEAS
    5. repec:cup:apsrev:v:62:y:1968:i:1:p:25-42_1 is not listed on IDEAS
    6. Melvin Hinich, 1978. "Some evidence on non-voting models in the spatial theory of electoral competition," Public Choice, Springer, vol. 33(2), pages 83-102, September.
    7. Melvin Hinich & Peter Ordeshook, 1969. "Abstentions and equilibrium in the electoral process," Public Choice, Springer, vol. 7(1), pages 81-106, September.
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