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Description
How useful is the concept of social class as an indicator of voting preference? In this programme Greg McLennan talks to two academic commentators - Anthony Heath and Patrick Donleavy. The old mode...l of class voting stressed traditional loyalty to class and party among Labour voters. Anthony Heath feels that this model underemphasised the rational side of voting behaviour and that although social class is declining as the main determinant of political allegiance, it is still a useful indicator. Patrick Donleavy disagrees, pointing out that "sectoral location" is the most important influence on voting behaviour. He argues that whether people work in the public or private sector, how many state services they "consume" and whether they are dependent for their income on the state are fundamental in differentiating conservative and labour voters.
How useful is the concept of social class as an indicator of voting preference? In this programme Greg McLennan talks to two academic commentators - Anthony Heath and Patrick Donleavy. The old mode...l of class voting stressed traditional loyalty to class and party among Labour voters. Anthony Heath feels that this model underemphasised the rational side of voting behaviour and that although social class is declining as the main determinant of political allegiance, it is still a useful indicator. Patrick Donleavy disagrees, pointing out that "sectoral location" is the most important influence on voting behaviour. He argues that whether people work in the public or private sector, how many state services they "consume" and whether they are dependent for their income on the state are fundamental in differentiating conservative and labour voters.
| Module code and title: | D209, State and society |
|---|---|
| Item code: | D209; 07; 1989 |
| First transmission date: | 16-04-1989 |
| Published: | 1989 |
| Rights Statement: | Rights owned or controlled by The Open University |
| Restrictions on use: | This material can be used in accordance with The Open University conditions of use. A link to the conditions can be found at the bottom of all OUDA web pages. |
| Duration: | 00:19:00 |
| + Show more... | |
| Producer: | Clare Falkner |
| Contributors: | Anthony Heath; Greg McLennan |
| Publisher: | BBC Open University |
| Keyword(s): | Electoral behaviour; Social class |
| Master spool number: | 88YD0271 |
| Production number: | 88YD0271 |
| Available to public: | no |
