Conventionally, social cleavages have been widely accepted as the prime determinant in the voting behaviour of electors in the western world. In largely religious countries Christianity was seen as main factor of people’s voting pattern, whereas in secular western countries social class was regarded as the strongest influence. However, in recent decades the prediction of electoral behaviour has become more and more problematic, as religious faith has declined and the traditional contrast of social classes began to be more difficult to distinguish. This essay will examine the impact of religion and social class as well as the increasing influx of ultra-right parties and influence of the growing number of ethnic minorities on voting behaviour in Germany and France, and will attempt to demonstrate that despite the former importance of religion and the changes of society during the post-war period, the fundamental influence on voting behaviour is social class in both countries.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Traditional influence of religion of voting behaviour in Germany and France
2.1 Religious belief in Germany and France today
2.2 Influence of religion on electoral behaviour nowadays
3. Traditional influence of class on voting behaviour
3.1 Changes of social class in Germany and France
3.2 Social Class and the far-right
4. Electoral behaviour of Muslims in Germany and France
5. Which is the main determinant, class or religion?
6. Conclusion
Research Objective and Scope
This essay evaluates the primary factors influencing voting behavior in Western Europe by analyzing the comparative cases of Germany and France. It specifically investigates whether traditional social class structures or religious affiliations remain the dominant determinants of electoral choices in the context of increasing secularization, the rise of right-wing parties, and the influence of ethnic minorities.
- Comparative analysis of electoral behavior in Germany and France.
- Evaluation of the "Social Cleavage Model" in a contemporary, secularized society.
- Examination of the shifting influence of religious values on party preference.
- Impact of socioeconomic status and class on voting for far-right movements.
- Assessment of the voting patterns of Muslim populations in Germany and France.
Excerpt from the Book
1.
Conventionally, social cleavages have been widely accepted as the prime determinant in the voting behaviour of electors in the western world. In largely religious countries Christianity was seen as main factor of people’s voting pattern, whereas in secular western countries social class was regarded as the strongest influence. However, in recent decades the prediction of electoral behaviour has become more and more problematic, as religious faith has declined and the traditional contrast of social classes began to be more difficult to distinguish. This essay will examine the impact of religion and social class as well as the increasing influx of ultra-right parties and influence of the growing number of ethnic minorities on voting behaviour in Germany and France, and will attempt to demonstrate that despite the former importance of religion and the changes of society during the post-war period, the fundamental influence on voting behaviour is social class in both countries.
In 1967 Seymour Martin Lipset and Stein Rokkan published Party Systems and Voter Alignments a book in which they introduced an idea on voting behaviour which is now known as ‘The Social Cleavage Model’. Lipset and Rokkan explained that the party preferences of most voters were determined by the two main social cleavages - social class and religion - referring to the fact that people from the working class tended to vote for leftist parties much more frequently than electors from the middle- or upper-class and that the electoral choice of religious people predominantly fell to either Christian democrats or conservatives rather than other parties.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: Outlines the research scope, introduces the "Social Cleavage Model" by Lipset and Rokkan, and sets the hypothesis that social class remains the fundamental influence on voting behavior.
2. Traditional influence of religion of voting behaviour in Germany and France: Discusses the historical significance of Christian denominations in shaping political preferences and their subsequent decline.
2.1 Religious belief in Germany and France today: Highlights the statistical decline of religious affiliation and the rise of agnosticism in both countries.
2.2 Influence of religion on electoral behaviour nowadays: Analyzes how, despite the overall secularization, religious values still correlate with support for centre-right parties in specific regions.
3. Traditional influence of class on voting behaviour: Explores the historical link between industrial labor, class identity, and party affiliation.
3.1 Changes of social class in Germany and France: Describes how socio-economic shifts and the transformation of parties into "catch-all" organizations blurred traditional class voting lines.
3.2 Social Class and the far-right: Examines the emergence of the far-right and its appeal to working-class voters facing economic insecurity.
4. Electoral behaviour of Muslims in Germany and France: Investigates the political leanings of Muslim minorities and the debate between religious versus class-based voting motives.
5. Which is the main determinant, class or religion?: Synthesizes the findings to conclude that social class remains the more significant, though evolving, determinant of electoral behavior.
6. Conclusion: Summarizes that while traditional models are challenged by modern social fatigue and shifting demographics, social class continues to underlay the voting patterns in Germany and France.
Keywords
Voting behaviour, Social cleavage, Western Europe, Germany, France, Religion, Social class, Secularization, Far-right, Ethnic minorities, Muslims, Christian Democrats, Socialist parties, Catch-all parties, Political participation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the central focus of this essay?
The essay explores the prime determinants of voting behavior in Western Europe, specifically focusing on whether social class or religion exerts a stronger influence on electoral outcomes in Germany and France.
What is the "Social Cleavage Model"?
Developed by Lipset and Rokkan in 1967, it suggests that voting preferences are primarily shaped by two social cleavages: social class and religious affiliation.
What major shift in religious influence is identified?
The paper identifies a persistent decline in religious belief and institutional influence, observing that secularism and individualism have largely replaced traditional Christian values as drivers of political behavior.
How is the rise of the far-right connected to social class?
The essay argues that the far-right has successfully targeted blue-collar workers and the unemployed, who feel economically marginalized, suggesting that this is a contemporary evolution of class-based voting.
Does ethnicity influence voting behavior significantly?
While the paper notes that Muslim voters tend to avoid conservative parties, it concludes that the overall impact of ethnic minority voting on total election results remains limited due to their current population proportions.
Which factor is ultimately considered more influential?
The author concludes that social class remains the primary determinant of voting behavior in both Germany and France, despite the diminishing influence of traditional class structures.
How have "catch-all parties" impacted voting behavior?
The adoption of "catch-all" strategies by major parties, such as the German SPD and French Socialist Party, has blurred traditional distinctions, making it harder to distinguish between social class and other voting influences.
How does the decline in voter turnout impact the author's analysis?
High abstention rates, particularly among young people, signal a "politic fatigue" that complicates traditional models of electoral prediction and suggests future volatility in voting patterns.
- Quote paper
- Nia Verdenhalven (Author), 2007, Is social class or religion the prime determinant in the voting behaviour of electors in Western Europe?, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/67342
