Elections and Political Participation

Contenu du cours

The course is divided into two main sections.

The first section is dedicated to the definition, measurement, and explanatory models of political participation. We begin by examining what political participation means and the different forms it can take. We then consider how political participation can be measured comparatively across individuals, countries, and over time. This discussion connects to broader debates about declining levels of political participation and different models of democracy. Finally, the section examines the incentives and barriers that shape political participation and introduces the main theoretical models explaining why and how citizens participate in politics.

The second section focuses on a specific form of political participation: electoral participation. We first examine why people vote—or choose to abstain—from different theoretical perspectives, including rational choice, the resource model, and institutional approaches. The course then turns to how people vote, presenting and discussing the main explanatory models of voting behavior. First, we examine the sociological model, developed particularly through the Columbia School and applied at both the aggregate and individual levels. Second, we consider the social-psychological model, associated with the Michigan School and its emphasis on party identification. Third, we explore several approaches grounded in rational choice theory, including issue voting and economic voting. Finally, we introduce research on the role of candidate characteristics and profiles, as well as the growing literature on emotions and voting behaviour.

This course touches upon major questions such as:

What does it mean to participate politically? Is there a universal understanding of the concept?
Which factors stimulate or decrease citizens’ involvement in politics?
To what extent is political participation biased across age, gender, or class?
To what extent is participation dependent on the context in which individual citizens evolve?
Are there institutions or specific rules that favour political participation more than others?
Are low levels of political participation a danger to democracy?
Why do people vote or abstain?
How could we reduce abstentionism?
How can we explain voters’ choices?
To what extent does voters’ socio-demographic profile determine their voting behavior?
Does party identification still matter?
Are voters rational?
How does the state of the economy influence voters’ choices?
How do candidates’ profiles affect voters’ choices?
How do salient issues impact voters’ choices?

Objectifs (et/ou acquis d'apprentissages spécifiques)

Specific Outcomes

To develop an in-depth knowledge of what political participation and vote choice mean, and of which critical factors may impact why citizens participate politically, or what triggers their vote choice
To be able to evaluate the weight of certain factors such as socioeconomic status, group mobilization, or institutional rules, to explain variations in political participation and voting behaviour
To demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of the literature and strong methodological skills related to this specific field of political science

Méthodes d'enseignement et activités d'apprentissages

TEACHING METHOD

The class format is organized around three equilibriums:

Accumulation of knowledge and critical thinking
Theoretical background and empirical studies
Class seminars and final exam (2 ECTS) and personal work (3 ECTS)

The classes are scheduled for 2 hours each week, and 2 hours’ of tutorial.

COURSE MATERIALS

All the course materials are centralized on the Université Virtuelle (UV). PowerPoint presentations are posted each week, at least one hour before the start of the class. These are presentations but they do not constitute an exhaustive syllabus. Mandatory and suggested readings, as well as the documentary, can be also accessed on the UV.

Indeed, students must complete reading 3 mandatory readings, which are available as PDFs on the UV. A section of the final exam will focus on one of them (4 points out of the 20).

Références, bibliographie et lectures recommandées

A list of references is provided in the outline of the course. Each reference is available on the UV. As a guide, recent references have been added:

Theocharis Y. and Van Deth J. W. 2019. Political Participation in a Changing World. Conceptual and Empirical Challenges in the Study of Citizen Engagement. London: Routledge.
Theocharis Y. and Van Deth J. W. 2021. Digitally Networked Participation and Lifestyle Politics as New Modes of Political Participation. Policy & Internet, 13(1): 30-53.
Giugni M. and Grasso M. (2022). 'The Study of Political Participation Across Research Traditions', in Marco Giugni, and Maria Grasso (eds), The Oxford Handbook of Political Participation, Oxford Handbooks.
Thijmen J. and Spierings N. (2023). Political participation profiles. West European Politics, 46(1): 1-23.
Kitanova, M. (2019). Youth political participation in the EU: evidence from a cross-national analysis. Journal of Youth Studies, 23(7) : 819–836.
Chrysanthou G. M. and Guilló M. D., (2024). Identifying the economic determinants of individual voting behaviour in UK general elections, Oxford Economic Papers, 76(1): 267–289
Rekker R. (2024). Electoral change through generational replacement: An age-period-cohort analysis of vote choice across 21 countries between 1948 and 2021. Frontiers in Political Science 6:1279888.
Goldberg A.C. (2020). The evolution of cleavage voting in four Western countries: Structural, behavioural or political dealignment?. European Journal of Political Research, 59: 68-90.
Emanuele V. (2021). Lost in Translation? Class Cleavage Roots and Left Electoral Mobilization in Western Europe. Perspectives on Politics.
Gomez R. (2022), When the chickens come home to roost: The long-term impact of party positions on religious voting. European Journal of Political Research, 61: 566-585.
Kostelka, F., Krejcova, E., Sauger, N., & Wuttke, A. (2023). Election Frequency and Voter Turnout. Comparative Political Studies, 56(14), 2231-2268.
Wagner M, Johann D, Kritzinger S. (2013). Voting at 16: Turnout and the quality of vote choice. Electoral Studies, 31(2):372-383
Stockemer D. (2017). What Affects Voter Turnout? A Review Article/Meta-Analysis of Aggregate Research. Government and Opposition. 52(4):698-722

Support(s) de cours

Université virtuelle

Contribution au profil d'enseignement

General Outcomes

To develop a capacity to summarise and analyze a question, to address a puzzle
To produce research based on acquired knowledge

Autres renseignements

Contacts

EMILIEN PAULIS
2024-25 substitute professor

Office hours: every Monday from 9 to 11 am (or appointment by email).
Office location: S building – Office S.11.234.
Contact:
- email: emilien.paulis@ulb.be
- phone: 0032 650 66 77

Campus

Solbosch

Evaluation

Méthode(s) d'évaluation

Travail personnel
Examen écrit

Travail personnel

Examen écrit

Examen à livre ouvert

Question ouverte à développement long
Question ouverte à réponse courte
Question fermée à Choix Multiple (QCM)

The course is evaluated as follows:

A written exam (50%)
A research note (50%)

The final grade is the mean between the exam and the paper. Students will obtain a grade for the course only if they submit the two assignments. If not, they will be noted as absent until they do.

Construction de la note (en ce compris, la pondération des notes partielles)

6.1. Final exam (50%)

The final written exam lasts 3 hours and consists of three main questions (/20):

One broad, transversal question related to the course (/12)
One specific, analytical question related to the course (/5)
Multiple-choice questions (with justification) related to one mandatory reading (/3)

6.1. Research note (50%)

Each student is expected to write a research note.

Aim

Students must imagine that they have been hired as a political consultant and electoral adviser by a political party of their choice. The party wants to better understand its electoral performance and electorate, and to receive recommendations for the next election.

The task is to write a strategic research note addressing three main questions:

1. How has the party performed? Students analyze the party’s electoral performance over recent elections. They identify the main trends, successes, setbacks and changes in its electoral support, including relevant geographical or temporal patterns.

2. Who votes for the party, and why? Students provide an evidence-based profile of the party's electorate. Who are its voters? Where are they located? What are their social, demographic and political characteristics? Why do they support the party? Were there any changes in the electorate over time?

Students should draw on scientific research, electoral results and survey evidence, and use the theories of political participation and voting behavior discussed in the course to help explain the party's electoral support.

3. What should the party do? Based on their analysis, provide strategic recommendations for the party. In particular, they should consider how the party could, for example, maintain and mobilize its existing electorate, expand its electorate by attracting new groups of voters, or still identify promising groups, issues, or geographical areas for future electoral growth. Recommendations should follow logically from the analysis and evidence. Students should also consider possible trade-offs or risks involved in trying to expand the party's electoral base.

Langue(s) d'évaluation

anglais

Recherche