Political Science 17.20
Introduction to American Politics
Professor Devin Caughey
MIT Department of Political Science
Political Participation
Lecture 18 (April 18, 2013)
1 /12
Outline
1
Voting
2
Other Forms of Participation
3
Consequences of Participatory Patterns
2 /12
Outline
1
Voting
2
Other Forms of Participation
3
Consequences of Participatory Patterns
3 /12
Why Do People Vote?
The calculus of voting: p × B + D > C
B: benefit if preferred candidate wins
p: probability that vote affects outcome (very low)
C: cost of voting (time, information)
D: satisfaction from act of voting (e.g., civic duty)
The paradox of voting: Since p is so low, the cost of voting
almost always outweighs the benefit (i.e., it is irrational to vote)
unless D is larger than C.
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Unpacking the “D Term”
Two potential components of the “D term”:
1
Intrinsic: satisfaction from doing the “right” thing, even if no
one knows about it
2
Extrinsic: satisfaction that is contingent on others’
observing your actions
Social pressure is a powerful inducement to vote, which
political campaigns have only recently rediscovered.
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Trends in Voter Turnout: VAP vs. VEP
65
Turnout rate
60
55
50
45
40
1948
1956
1964
1972
1980
1988
1996
2004
Year
VEP Turnout Rate
VAP Turnout Rate
Image by MIT OpenCourseWare.
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Regional and Racial Differences in Turnout
Turnout rate
80
66.1
70
64.2
60
55.1
50
65.2
54.0
48.0
40
49.9
47.0
30
20
10
1988
1948
1958
1964
1972
1980
1988
1996
Year
Nonsouthern
National
1992
1996
2000
2004
2008
2004
Southern
White
Hispanic
Black
Asian
Images by MIT OpenCourseWare.
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Outline
1
Voting
2
Other Forms of Participation
3
Consequences of Participatory Patterns
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Resources and Participation
Different resources are needed for different forms of
participation:
Time: vote, volunteer
Skills: write letters, organize protest, circulate petition
Money: donate to candidates and parties
Time is the most equally distributed resources, but in recent
decades its importance has decreased relative to money.
9 /12
Outline
1
Voting
2
Other Forms of Participation
3
Consequences of Participatory Patterns
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Inequality of Political Voice
Rich and poor, whites and minorities have different
preferences and different priorities.
Politicians respond to those who can provide valuable
resources, and who they hear from affects what they think
their constituents want.
Inequalities of political “voice” =⇒ unequal representation
What then to make of minimal and varying partisan bias due to
non-voting, and the ability of liberal, minority politicians like
Obama to win elections and raise huge amounts of money?
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Inequality and the Political System
Parties need resources as well as votes:
Republicans: Economic interests of the rich
Democrats: Social issues
The puzzling failure of gun regulation
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17.20 Introduction to American Politics
Spring 2013
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