Sociologie der verkiezingen in Frankrijk en de V.S.

Samenvatting

Electoral sociology in France and the United States. The article gives a critical review of two major trends in electoral sociology: the 'sociologie électorale’ as has been developped in France under the aegis of Siegfried and Goguel, and the ’voting behavior research’ , inaugurated by the works of Lazarsfeld, Berelson, c.s. Both trends study the conditions of electoral behavior, but show a marked contrast in approach, in method and in the type of conclusion arrived at. French electoral sociology explains election results in terms of objective, situational factors, amongs which geographical circumstances are considered to be of importance. Its quantitative analysis is based upon available statistical data and visual comparison of maps and diagrams is used as the main analytical tool. The American electoral sociology prefers the explanation of electoral behavior in terms of socio-psychological variables, collects its data through repeated interviewing of one sample (the panel) and uses more sophisticated techniques of quantitative analysis. After a critical examination of approach and method of both trends is is concluded that, although their greater reliability can be considered as an advantage, the results of the ’voting behavior research' are too naddowly confined to explanation on a functional level, whereas the 'sociologie électorale’ limits itself too much to an explanation of historical nature. Synthesis of approach and method of both trends will prove fruitful for the study of electoral behavior.