POLS 205 Lecture : Introduction
Document Summary
Societal: linguistic, gender, class, age, race, religion, urban-rural. Political parties try to appeal to certain voters and pockets of money. Ten years ago, it was the third successive majority liberal government. Today, we have our third successive minority government. Long future of liberal majorities seemed inevitable. Today, a long future of minority governments seems inevitable. Politics: voters, politicians rational, self-interested, politics matters, and politicians are focused on power, will do what is in their electoral interests. Voters: politicians seek votes, focus on marginal voters, blocs of voters, strategic constituencies, politicians are focused on strategic choices.