Trends in links/rechts-oriëntatie en politieke-partijkeuze, 1976-1992

Samenvatting

Using data from 815 national Dutch surveys (N=869,039), this paper tracks trends in the influence of left-right ideological orientation on political party choice from 1976 to 1992. The primary purpose of the paper is to investigate whether left-right orientation has become more important to party choice over time as suggested by the political emancipation (or ideologisation of the vote) hypothesis. The findings show that the Dutch electorat has gradually become more homogeneous in its ideological orientation. Contrary to the hypothesis left-right orientation has not become more important in mediating the influence of church membership and income position on political party choice. In addition, the influence of left-right orientation on party choice has not increased but has remained virtually constant during the 1976-1992 period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]; Copyright of Mens en Maatschappij is the property of Amsterdam University Press and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)