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The current paradigm in the study of Italian electoral behavior finds the basic determinants of voting in the ideological attachment to & identification with political parties. The relationship between economic conditions & electoral outcomes has not been the object of intense study, since it was assumed that the predominance of the ideological dimension made any consideration of economic concerns among the electorate irrelevant. Recent research, employing both aggregate & survey data shows, however, that economic conditions seem to exert an impact on electoral outcomes. Moreover, the emergence of a more rational & secular electorate might further increase the importance of economic voting. 3 Tables, 20 References. HA

This volume provides an up-to-date examination of the conceptualisations, causes, and consequences of partisanship, one of the most fundamental concepts in contemporary political science. Presenting a comprehensive account and assessment of partisanship in comparative empirical research, contributors to this volume not only assess past literature in this area, but also advance current debates. Focussing on three key aspects of partisanship, the volume covers theories of partisanship, the dynamics of partisanship and the behavioural consequences of partisanship in both new and established democr.

No consensus exists on the causal mechanisms underpinning declining voting based on social cleavages -- religion and class -- in Europe. Previous research has emphasized two main factors: social change within the electorate (bottom-up) and parties' policy polarization (top-down). This article presents a third level of analysis that links parties and cleavage-related social organizations, producing a factor capable of reinforcing group identity and interest representation. This hypothesis was tested for Italy in 1968-2008, where changes in the party system provided a natural experiment to assess the impact of changing structural alternatives at the party-organizational level. The level of cleavage voting in Italy then responded primarily to changes in the structure of party-organization linkages, while the impact of policy mobilization and social change was negligible. Adapted from the source document.

No consensus exists on the causal mechanisms underpinning declining voting based on social cleavages – religion and class – in Europe. Previous research has emphasized two main factors: social change within the electorate (bottom-up) and parties' policy polarization (top-down). This article presents a third level of analysis that links parties and cleavage-related social organizations, producing a factor capable of reinforcing group identity and interest representation. This hypothesis was tested for Italy in 1968–2008, where changes in the party system provided a natural experiment to assess the impact of changing structural alternatives at the party–organizational level. The level of cleavage voting in Italy then responded primarily to changes in the structure of party–organization linkages, while the impact of policy mobilization and social change was negligible.

Introduces an issue on modeling electoral choice in Europe. Figures, References.