Generational Differences in Electoral Behaviour

Abstract

The manner in which people participate in politics is fundamental for the way a political system functions. It is a fact of life that incoming cohorts gradually replace older generations. Therefore, the study of generational differences in electoral behaviour provides a preview of the future functioning of democracy. As an example, while young voters are known to be notorious abstainers recent research suggests that the already low turnout levels among young adults are declining rapidly. Young voters grow into older voters. Unless turnout losses are made up as young adults age, general turnout levels are bound to decline in the future. This, in turn, affects both the legitimacy and representation of the democratic system. Likewise, the consequences of an ageing society in terms of political representation and election outcomes have also received scholarly attention in recent years. Political science is slowly arriving at a point where available data and methods allow us to disentangle age, period and cohort effects. This panel seeks to bring together papers researching generational differences in electoral behaviour, welcoming contributions on turnout, vote choice and other election-related behaviours. Papers can focus on any generation (young or old) and this panel explicitly welcomes both quantitative and qualitative research, seeking to address the complementary nature of both. In the vein of the entire section, comparative studies are especially welcome.

Title	Details
Transition to Adulthood and Turnout. Some Implications from the Italian Case	View Paper Details
The Entry of Dealigned Generations? A Longitudinal and Comparative Analysis on EES-data (1989-2009)	View Paper Details
Electoral Behaviour of Youth in Post-Communist Lithuanian Society	View Paper Details
The Electoral Gender Gap: A Generational Perspective	View Paper Details
Young Citizens’ (un-)Equal Participation. Does the Education, Labour Market and Welfare System Context Matter?	View Paper Details