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Class voting, social change, and the left in Australia, 1943-96
journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-16, 11:41 authored by Weakliem, DL, Western, MThe relationship between class and voting choices has been the subject of controversy in recent years, especially in connection with the apparent decline of the traditional left. This paper examines class voting in Australia, focusing on three major issues: (1) changes in the overall strength of class voting (2) realignment, or changes in the relative political positions of the classes (3) the connection between the strength of class voting and support for Labor. It finds that (1) there is a decline in 'general' class voting (2) much of this decline involves a realignment of certain middle class groups, but there is no support for the popular idea that class alignments have become more complex (3) there is no connection between the strength of class voting and Labor performance. Our results cast doubt on accounts that regard the electoral difficulties of left parties as a symptom of the decline of class.
History
Publication title
British Journal of SociologyVolume
50Issue
4Pagination
609-630ISSN
0007-1315Department/School
School of Social SciencesPublisher
RoutledgePlace of publication
LondonRepository Status
- Restricted