Images of Voting/Visions of Democracy

By: Peter Natchez

Write A Review

Paperback | 15 January 2012

At a Glance

Paperback
338 Pages

Dimensions(cm)
21.6 x 13.8 x 1.78

Paperback

RRP $92.99

$72.75

22%OFF

or 4 interest-free payments of $18.19 with

or

Aims to ship in 7 to 10 business days

ÿÿÿÿ When survey research, statistics, and electronic data processing were first introduced, they held out promise that a new level of political knowledge would be created. Applied to the study of voting behavior, survey research promised an understanding of the factors determining the outcome of an election, that political history could be based on rich and current data, and that we could begin to understand the role of elections in constitutional democracy. The truth as Peter B. Natche shows, is that despite the opportunity provided by this revolution, voting studies have failed to make significant contributions to democratic theory or political history.

ÿÿÿÿ The findings of voting studies have spread from the universities into the political system with a rather grim message. In its simplest form the message is this: the electorate does not measure up to the task thrust upon it by democracy. The studies conclude that voters choose candidates for reasons having little relevance to the success of the political system, and little relevance even to politics. Thus political science, in shifting from an optimistic focus on theory to a strong emphasis on empiricism, became a source of pessimism.

ÿÿÿÿ One cannot study democracy or the democratic process without a point of view on democracy. The scientific method requires a point of view: science is not only a method for discovering reality, but for addressing well-structured questions. Natche identifies goals for democracy, freedom and tolerance, and consciousness in decision making. Elections serve two functions; one, filling constitutional offices, and two, a symbolic function rooted in democratic experience that is more ambiguous, but no less vital as a part of regime analysis. A political science that connects these two aspects of voting will require an analysis of why voters vote the way they do to fill offices; but, more importantly, it will also require an understanding of the symbolic function of elections.

Industry Reviews

-Images of Voting/Visions of Democracy calls researchers and theorists to bring together philosophy and empirical analysis in the more discerning examination of politics.-

--Richard Sobel, The American Political Science Review

-Not many political scientists are capable, as Natchez was, of reading work as technical and as diversely ramified as the literature of voting behavior and rendering a sustained and nuanced appreciation and critique of it in the light of philosophical considerations . . . Peter Natchez has given us a stimulating and provocative reading of the literature in this lively branch of social science, and opened up a style of work which deserves emulation.-

--Nelson W. Polsby, Political Science Quarterly

"Images of Voting/Visions of Democracy calls researchers and theorists to bring together philosophy and empirical analysis in the more discerning examination of politics."

--Richard Sobel, The American Political Science Review

"Not many political scientists are capable, as Natchez was, of reading work as technical and as diversely ramified as the literature of voting behavior and rendering a sustained and nuanced appreciation and critique of it in the light of philosophical considerations . . . Peter Natchez has given us a stimulating and provocative reading of the literature in this lively branch of social science, and opened up a style of work which deserves emulation."

--Nelson W. Polsby, Political Science Quarterly

"Images of Voting/Visions of Democracy calls researchers and theorists to bring together philosophy and empirical analysis in the more discerning examination of politics."

--Richard Sobel, The American Political Science Review

"Not many political scientists are capable, as Natchez was, of reading work as technical and as diversely ramified as the literature of voting behavior and rendering a sustained and nuanced appreciation and critique of it in the light of philosophical considerations . . . Peter Natchez has given us a stimulating and provocative reading of the literature in this lively branch of social science, and opened up a style of work which deserves emulation."

--Nelson W. Polsby, Political Science Quarterly

"Images of Voting/Visions of Democracy calls researchers and theorists to bring together philosophy and empirical analysis in the more discerning examination of politics."

--Richard Sobel, The American Political Science Review

"Not many political scientists are capable, as Natchez was, of reading work as technical and as diversely ramified as the literature of voting behavior and rendering a sustained and nuanced appreciation and critique of it in the light of philosophical considerations . . . Peter Natchez has given us a stimulating and provocative reading of the literature in this lively branch of social science, and opened up a style of work which deserves emulation."

--Nelson W. Polsby, Political Science Quarterly

Shipping

	Standard Shipping	Express Shipping
Metro postcodes:	$9.99	$14.95
Regional postcodes:	$9.99	$14.95
Rural postcodes:	$9.99	$14.95

How to return your order

At Booktopia, we offer hassle-free returns in accordance with our returns policy. If you wish to return an item, please get in touch with Booktopia Customer Care.

Additional postage charges may be applicable.