Analysis and examination of theories of electoral behavior accompanied by critique (the process of winning in political campaigns

Document Type : مقالات علمی -پژوهشی

Authors

Vahid Sadeghi ¹

Hadi Azami ²

Seyed hadi Zarghani ²

¹ PhD student in Political Geography, Department of Geography, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Khorasan Razavi, Iran

² Associate Professor of Political Geography, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Khorasan Razavi, Iran

https://doi.org/10.22067/pg.2025.83036.1219

Abstract

Electoral behavior is a context-specific and time-specific political action that has shaped the foundation of electoral democracy. As a result, it has been the subject of attention and analysis by scholars and theorists. One of the oldest theories in this regard has its roots in the Columbia School, where Lazars Feld and his colleagues perceived and articulated the matter at a local level, within the framework of collective variables. They argued that humans are social beings, and their political behavior can be described in terms of demographic factors such as gender, religion, region, social class, education, and other similar characteristics that form the basis for social stratification and the formation of social groups. From this perspective, when humans became social beings, their electoral behavior took shape within the boundaries of social groups. The analysis of electoral behavior progressed to the point where social psychologists, emphasizing partisan social identity, viewed political behavior as individual-centered and driven by psychological needs and motivations. However, the story did not end there. The theorists of political economy conceptualized humans as rational beings bound by their biological and livelihood needs, considering livelihood and the fulfillment of expectations and demands as the cause of electoral behavior. Following these three prominent theoretical approaches, theories of elitism, political communication, and electoral geography emerged, each attributing electoral behavior to political forces, media and proximity, and spatial needs, respectively. In general,

Keywords

political process

political beings

theories of electoral behavior

political power

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2. Ayoubi, H., (2018). Cultural voting and transition from traditional and class cleavages: A case study of the 2017 French elections. Political Science Biannual, 14(2), 35–62.
3. Azghandi, A.R., & Roshandel, J., (2011). Contemporary military and strategic issues. Tehran: SAMT Publications.
4. Outhwaite, W., & Bottomore, T., (2013). The twentieth-century social science dictionary (H. Chavoshian, Trans.). Tehran: Ney Publications.
5. Amjad, M., (2010). Politics and government in the United States. Tehran: SAMT Publications.
6. Panahi, M.H., & Alizadeh, E., (2005). The impact of mass media on political participation of Tehran citizens. Social Sciences, 29, 12–28.
7. Jones, M., Jones, R., & Woods, M., (2016). An introduction to political geography (Z. Pishgahi-Fard & R. Akbari, Trans.). Tehran: University of Tehran Press.
8. Hafeznia, M. R., & Kavianirad, M., (2014). Philosophy of political geography. Tehran: Strategic Studies Institute Press.
9. Hafeznia, M. R., & Sadeghi, V., (2023). Explaining the relationship between tribalism and political participation (Islamic Consultative Assembly elections in Mamasani constituency). Journal of Geography and Regional Development, 19(2), Article 37.
10. Khalili, M., (2018). Iran’s neighborhood policy and the multi-neighbor foreign policy approach. Journal of Political Geography Research, 3(3), 123–146.
11. Khalili, M., (2015–2016). Electoral course design and structure for BA in Political Science. Faculty of Law and Political Science, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad.
12. Darabi, A., (2009). Electoral behavior in Iran: Patterns and theories. Tehran: Soroush Publications.
13. Dehghani, H., (2019). Explaining the electoral behavior of Isfahan citizens based on the Columbia and Michigan models: A case study. Strategic Policy-Making Studies Quarterly, 9(33), 170–190.
14. Dehghani, H., (2016). From electoral campaigns to voting behavior. Tehran: Sociologists Publications.
15. Rose, R.. (2011). The international encyclopedia of elections (M. T. Delfrooz, Trans.). Tehran: Mizan Publications.
16. Sheikhzadeh Joushani, S., et al. (2020). A qualitative meta-analysis of voting behavior studies in Iran (1981–2018). Political Science Research Journal, 16(1), 69–114.
17. Shari’atnia, K., & Matlabi, M., (2011). Political psychology and theoretical innovation in political science. Political Studies Quarterly, 4(14), 93–126.
18. Sadeghi, V., et al. (2023). Explaining the key factors in candidates’ electoral success and proposing an optimal model. Spatial Political Planning Quarterly, 6(3), 197–217.
19. Sadeghi, V., & Hosseini, S. M.H., (2023). Electoral campaign tourism and political participation (Case studies: Finland and Afghanistan). Spatial Political Planning Quarterly, 6(3), 835–849.
20. Asgari-Talavat, A.A.. (2003). The role of IRIB in shaping citizens’ political behavior in the sixth parliamentary election (Unpublished master’s thesis, Imam Sadiq University, Supervisor: Kavous Seyed Emami).
21. Ghazian, H. A., (2009). A sociological analysis of elections in Iran based on traditional-modern cleavages (Case study: 1997 presidential election). (Unpublished PhD dissertation, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran).
22. Ghavam, S.A., (2014). Politics: Foundations of political science. Tehran: SAMT Publications.
23. Ghavam, S.A., (2013). Comparative politics. Tehran: SAMT Publications.
24. Kavianirad, M., & Gharabeygi, M., (2017). Electoral geography: Foundations, concepts, and approaches. Tehran: Strategic Studies Institute Press.
25. Karimi Maleh, A., & Zolfaghari, V., (2019). An introduction to the political sociology of voting behavior. Tehran: Negah Mo’aser.
26. Kinloch, G.C., (2014). Sociological theory: Origins of perspectives and paradigms (G. Jamshidieh & S. R. Teymoori, Trans.). Tehran: Sociologists Bookstore.
27. Lacoste, Y., (2012). From geopolitics to perspective: A dictionary of geography (Persian Edition). Mashhad: Papeli Publications.
28. Mirheidar, D., & Mirahmadi, F.S., (2017). The evolution of thought in traditional and modern political geography (1897 to late 1980s). Tehran: University of Tehran Press.
29. Veysi, H., (2015). Concepts and theories of political geography. Tehran: SAMT Publications.
30. Naqibzadeh, A., (2015). An introduction to political sociology. Tehran: SAMT Publications.
31. Hormoz, M., (1999). Political socialization. Tehran: Pajang Publications.
32. Yousefi Ramandi, R., (2018). A model of voting behavior in the Islamic Republic of Iran based on a political marketing approach. Political Science Biannual, 14(2), 63–95.
33. Windahl, S., Signitzer, B., & Olson, J.T., (2008). Using communication theory (A. Dehghan, Trans.). Tehran: Sociologists Publications.
34. Akhter, Z, Sheikh Ah. Y., (2014). Determinants of Voting Behaviour in India: Theoritical Perspective. Public Policy And Adminestration Research, Vikram University Ujjain, 4(8),     Available         at: https://jagiroadcollegelive.co.in/attendence/classnotes/files/1589378885.pdf
35. Brooks, C., (2006). Cleavage-based voting behavior in cross-national perspective: evidence from six postwar democracies, 35(1): 88-128.
36. Blais, A., (2000). To vote or not to vote: the merits and limits of rational choice theory. Pittsburg: University of Pitting.
37. Campbell, A., Converse, M., & Stocks, N., (1960). American Voter. New York: John willy.
38. Chandler, M., (1988). Models of Voting Behavior in Survey Research. Syntheses, 76(2):25-48.
39. Chandrasekara, M., (2014). The power of opinion leaders: A study on first time voters of the university of Colombo. Political Science, 68, 61-64.
40. Cutright, P., & Rossi, P. H., (1958): Grass Roots Politicians and the Vote. American Sociological Review 23:171–179.
41. Diener, E., (2000). Subjective well-being - The Science of Happiness and a proposal for a National Index. American Psychologist, 55, 34–43.
42. Druckman, J., (2004). Priming the vote: campaign effects in a U.S. Senate election. Political Psychology, 25, 577-594.
43. Johnston, R., & Pattie, Ch., (2006). Electoral Geography.
44. Kovenock, D., & Roberson, B., (2008). Electoral Poaching and Party Identification. Journal of Theoretical Politics, 20(3): 275-302.
45. lazarsfeld, P.F., Berelson, B., & Hazel, G., (1944). The People’s Choice: How the voter makes up his mind in a presidential campaign, NY: Colombia University Press.
46. Redding, K.,  (2010). Elections & Voting, in handbook of sociology. state & society in global perspective New York.
47. Sanders, D., (2003). Party Identification, Economic Perception, and Voting in British GeneralElections, 1974-1997. Electoral Studies,22(1): 239-263.
48. Ghali Ibrahim, S.H., Nuhu Liman, A., & Mato, K., (2015). The 2015 General Elections: A Review of Major Determinants of Paradigm Shift in Voting Behaviour and Political Participation in Nigeria. International Journal of Research in Humanities and Social Studies, 2(1): 1–2.
49. Estes, T., (2005). Where the Votes Are: The Electoral Geography of the Coming Democratic Majority. Oakland University, From: http://www.beperss.com.

References

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2. Ayoubi, H., (2018). Cultural voting and transition from traditional and class cleavages: A case study of the 2017 French elections. Political Science Biannual, 14(2), 35–62.
3. Azghandi, A.R., & Roshandel, J., (2011). Contemporary military and strategic issues. Tehran: SAMT Publications.
4. Outhwaite, W., & Bottomore, T., (2013). The twentieth-century social science dictionary (H. Chavoshian, Trans.). Tehran: Ney Publications.
5. Amjad, M., (2010). Politics and government in the United States. Tehran: SAMT Publications.
6. Panahi, M.H., & Alizadeh, E., (2005). The impact of mass media on political participation of Tehran citizens. Social Sciences, 29, 12–28.
7. Jones, M., Jones, R., & Woods, M., (2016). An introduction to political geography (Z. Pishgahi-Fard & R. Akbari, Trans.). Tehran: University of Tehran Press.
8. Hafeznia, M. R., & Kavianirad, M., (2014). Philosophy of political geography. Tehran: Strategic Studies Institute Press.
9. Hafeznia, M. R., & Sadeghi, V., (2023). Explaining the relationship between tribalism and political participation (Islamic Consultative Assembly elections in Mamasani constituency). Journal of Geography and Regional Development, 19(2), Article 37.
10. Khalili, M., (2018). Iran’s neighborhood policy and the multi-neighbor foreign policy approach. Journal of Political Geography Research, 3(3), 123–146.
11. Khalili, M., (2015–2016). Electoral course design and structure for BA in Political Science. Faculty of Law and Political Science, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad.
12. Darabi, A., (2009). Electoral behavior in Iran: Patterns and theories. Tehran: Soroush Publications.
13. Dehghani, H., (2019). Explaining the electoral behavior of Isfahan citizens based on the Columbia and Michigan models: A case study. Strategic Policy-Making Studies Quarterly, 9(33), 170–190.
14. Dehghani, H., (2016). From electoral campaigns to voting behavior. Tehran: Sociologists Publications.
15. Rose, R.. (2011). The international encyclopedia of elections (M. T. Delfrooz, Trans.). Tehran: Mizan Publications.
16. Sheikhzadeh Joushani, S., et al. (2020). A qualitative meta-analysis of voting behavior studies in Iran (1981–2018). Political Science Research Journal, 16(1), 69–114.
17. Shari’atnia, K., & Matlabi, M., (2011). Political psychology and theoretical innovation in political science. Political Studies Quarterly, 4(14), 93–126.
18. Sadeghi, V., et al. (2023). Explaining the key factors in candidates’ electoral success and proposing an optimal model. Spatial Political Planning Quarterly, 6(3), 197–217.
19. Sadeghi, V., & Hosseini, S. M.H., (2023). Electoral campaign tourism and political participation (Case studies: Finland and Afghanistan). Spatial Political Planning Quarterly, 6(3), 835–849.
20. Asgari-Talavat, A.A.. (2003). The role of IRIB in shaping citizens’ political behavior in the sixth parliamentary election (Unpublished master’s thesis, Imam Sadiq University, Supervisor: Kavous Seyed Emami).
21. Ghazian, H. A., (2009). A sociological analysis of elections in Iran based on traditional-modern cleavages (Case study: 1997 presidential election). (Unpublished PhD dissertation, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran).
22. Ghavam, S.A., (2014). Politics: Foundations of political science. Tehran: SAMT Publications.
23. Ghavam, S.A., (2013). Comparative politics. Tehran: SAMT Publications.
24. Kavianirad, M., & Gharabeygi, M., (2017). Electoral geography: Foundations, concepts, and approaches. Tehran: Strategic Studies Institute Press.
25. Karimi Maleh, A., & Zolfaghari, V., (2019). An introduction to the political sociology of voting behavior. Tehran: Negah Mo’aser.
26. Kinloch, G.C., (2014). Sociological theory: Origins of perspectives and paradigms (G. Jamshidieh & S. R. Teymoori, Trans.). Tehran: Sociologists Bookstore.
27. Lacoste, Y., (2012). From geopolitics to perspective: A dictionary of geography (Persian Edition). Mashhad: Papeli Publications.
28. Mirheidar, D., & Mirahmadi, F.S., (2017). The evolution of thought in traditional and modern political geography (1897 to late 1980s). Tehran: University of Tehran Press.
29. Veysi, H., (2015). Concepts and theories of political geography. Tehran: SAMT Publications.
30. Naqibzadeh, A., (2015). An introduction to political sociology. Tehran: SAMT Publications.
31. Hormoz, M., (1999). Political socialization. Tehran: Pajang Publications.
32. Yousefi Ramandi, R., (2018). A model of voting behavior in the Islamic Republic of Iran based on a political marketing approach. Political Science Biannual, 14(2), 63–95.
33. Windahl, S., Signitzer, B., & Olson, J.T., (2008). Using communication theory (A. Dehghan, Trans.). Tehran: Sociologists Publications.
34. Akhter, Z, Sheikh Ah. Y., (2014). Determinants of Voting Behaviour in India: Theoritical Perspective. Public Policy And Adminestration Research, Vikram University Ujjain, 4(8),     Available         at: https://jagiroadcollegelive.co.in/attendence/classnotes/files/1589378885.pdf
35. Brooks, C., (2006). Cleavage-based voting behavior in cross-national perspective: evidence from six postwar democracies, 35(1): 88-128.
36. Blais, A., (2000). To vote or not to vote: the merits and limits of rational choice theory. Pittsburg: University of Pitting.
37. Campbell, A., Converse, M., & Stocks, N., (1960). American Voter. New York: John willy.
38. Chandler, M., (1988). Models of Voting Behavior in Survey Research. Syntheses, 76(2):25-48.
39. Chandrasekara, M., (2014). The power of opinion leaders: A study on first time voters of the university of Colombo. Political Science, 68, 61-64.
40. Cutright, P., & Rossi, P. H., (1958): Grass Roots Politicians and the Vote. American Sociological Review 23:171–179.
41. Diener, E., (2000). Subjective well-being - The Science of Happiness and a proposal for a National Index. American Psychologist, 55, 34–43.
42. Druckman, J., (2004). Priming the vote: campaign effects in a U.S. Senate election. Political Psychology, 25, 577-594.
43. Johnston, R., & Pattie, Ch., (2006). Electoral Geography.
44. Kovenock, D., & Roberson, B., (2008). Electoral Poaching and Party Identification. Journal of Theoretical Politics, 20(3): 275-302.
45. lazarsfeld, P.F., Berelson, B., & Hazel, G., (1944). The People’s Choice: How the voter makes up his mind in a presidential campaign, NY: Colombia University Press.
46. Redding, K.,  (2010). Elections & Voting, in handbook of sociology. state & society in global perspective New York.
47. Sanders, D., (2003). Party Identification, Economic Perception, and Voting in British GeneralElections, 1974-1997. Electoral Studies,22(1): 239-263.
48. Ghali Ibrahim, S.H., Nuhu Liman, A., & Mato, K., (2015). The 2015 General Elections: A Review of Major Determinants of Paradigm Shift in Voting Behaviour and Political Participation in Nigeria. International Journal of Research in Humanities and Social Studies, 2(1): 1–2.
49. Estes, T., (2005). Where the Votes Are: The Electoral Geography of the Coming Democratic Majority. Oakland University, From: http://www.beperss.com.