Political Behavior August 1999
Part I. Answer one of the following questions.
1. Recent years have seen the publication of several books with titles such as The Rational Public, The Reasoning Voter, and Reasoning and Choice. These works seem to indicate a fundamental shift in the way political scientists view the rationality and political sophistication of the average voter. Describe this shift and evaluate its validity with respect to American public opinion and voting behavior. How would your answer help us to understand recent presidential and congressional elections?
2. In recent years, a chorus of candidates, pundits, and some political scientists has proclaimed that, when it comes to voting behavior, "It's the Economy, Stupid!" Evaluate this claim. Are economic conditions and assessments the most important determinants of the vote? If so, which economic considerations should political scientists hoping to understand voting behavior pay attention to? If there are other factors beyond the economy, what are they? How would your answer help us to understand recent presidential and congressional elections?
Part II Answer one of the following questions.
I. After a 30-year decline in voter turnout since the 1960 election, turnout increased to 56% in 1992 and then dropped to below 50% in 1996. Assess the trends in voter turnout during this period, addressing alternative explanations from the literature. Should these levels -- and their patterns over time -- cause concern for the health of American democracy?
2. Evaluate the nature and importance of media effects in shaping public opinion and individual vote choice. Do different kinds of media differ in their effects; do different types of voters respond differently to media messages; and do media matter more in different types of electoral and non-electoral contexts?