The Relationships between Policy Orientations, Partisanship, and Vote Choice

Abstract

AbstractThis chapter provides an initial test of the relationships between policy orientations, partisanship, and vote choice. It begins with an analysis of the relationship between policy orientations and partisanship. The analysis uses both the ANES and GSS cumulative file data and spans the years 1972–2016. It finds that policy orientations have become a stronger predictor of partisanship. The chapter then turns to an analysis of how policy orientations and partisanship jointly influence vote choice. It finds that policy orientations have become stronger predictors over time, while partisanship has always been a strong predictor but has not increased in power to the same degree. The chapter concludes with a discussion of the forces that have caused policy orientations to become more powerful influences of behavior.