Affluence, Austerity and Electoral Change in Britain
Cambridge University Press, 9/12/2013
EAN 9781107641167, ISBN10: 1107641160
Paperback, 334 pages, 22.9 x 15.2 x 1.9 cm
Language: English
Affluence, Austerity and Electoral Change in Britain investigates the political economy of party support for British political parties since Tony Blair led New Labour to power in 1997. Using valence politics models of electoral choice and marshalling an unprecedented wealth of survey data collected in the British Election Study's monthly Continuous Monitoring Surveys, the authors trace forces affecting support for New Labour during its thirteen years in office. They then study how the recessionary economy has influenced the dynamics of party support since the Conservative–Liberal Democrat Coalition came to power in May 2010 and factors that shaped voting in Britain's May 2011 national referendum on changing the electoral system. Placing Britain in comparative perspective with cross-national survey data gathered in the midst of the worst recession since the 1930s, the authors investigate how the economic crisis has affected support for incumbent governments and democratic politics in over twenty European countries.
1. The politics of affluence and austerity
2. Tony's politics
prosperity and performance
3. Gordon's politics
economic crisis and political change
4. 'I agree with Nick'
campaigning for change in 2010
5. Making political choices
2010
6. Bearish Britain
the Coalition in power
7. Choosing how to choose
the AV ballot referendum
8. Performance politics and subjective well-being
9. Valence politics, austerity policies and electoral prospects
Appendix A. Structure of the 2010 British Election Study
Appendix B. Measurement.
Advance praise: 'More than a sequel to the two highly regarded previous British Election Study volumes on the 2001 and 2005 campaigns, this book reinforces earlier evidence on the importance of valence issues with new material from the 2010 elections. Now the authors add a dynamic element, tracking the ebb and flow of party vote shares across elections - along with detailed new evidence on the campaign dynamics in 2010. Whiteley and his colleagues produce an impressive holistic model to explain how contemporary electoral democracy works in Britain and how it has been changing.' Russell J. Dalton, University of California, Irvine