American Politics Comprehensive Exam

Day 2: American Political Behavior

 

Department of Politics

University of Virginia

January 2004

 

 

 

 

Part A: Answer the following question, drawing extensively on (and with specific references to) the appropriate literature.

 

Construct your ideal model of individual voter choice in Presidential elections.  How does your model incorporate, extend, and/or refute existing models of the vote?  What does your model suggest about the likely outcome of the 2004 Presidential contest?  Finally, how does the model conform to your view of how individuals in a democratic system should vote?

 

 

 

Part B: Answer one of the following questions, drawing extensively on (and with specific references to) the appropriate literature.

 

1. After a three-decade decline since the 1960 election, voter turnout increased to 55% in 1992, dropped below 50% in 1996, and rose to just over 50% in 2000.  Explain these patterns, drawing on existing models of political participation and electoral behavior, and consider whether trends in turnout should cause concern for the health of American democracy.

 

 

2. Describe and evaluate the 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?  Do media effects vary across different electoral contexts and/or public opinion domains?