Chapter 5 Essay questions

1) Even though there are costs to voting and single votes are unlikely to change the electoral outcome (what we call the “Paradox of Voting”), many people go out and vote. Discuss why people might still be motivated to vote.

2) States should introduce compulsory voting to overcome inequality in turnout. Discuss.

3) Voters can use retrospective evaluation to help them make an electoral decision. Describe what retrospective voting is and why voters might have a hard time applying it.

4) In recent years, electoral volatility has increased across Europe. Outline the main reasons for that development and give an assessment of how volatility can be good or bad for democracy.

5) According to Kedar, which rational reasons might voters have to not vote for the party that is most closely aligned with their own position?