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To What Extent Is Voting Behaviour a Rational and Issue Based Activity in Trinidad.

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To What Extent Is Voting Behaviour a Rational and Issue Based Activity in Trinidad.
Subject: GOVT 2052- Issues In Government and Politics of the Caribbean

Question:
To what extent is voting behaviour a rational and issue based activity in Trinidad.
Answer:
INTRODUCTION:
The study of Voting Behaviour is of fundamental importance to students of Politics. This is due to the fact that it is: a) The most widespread and quantifiable form of political behaviour. b) A rich source of information about the interaction between individuals, society and Politics. c) An important lesson about the nature of the political system and the process of social and political change. d) A rich source of information about the short and long term factors that influence voters.

There are several theoretical perspectives which influence why people vote which aim to explain: a) how the electorates affect government by their voting pattern and b) how government adjusts their actions to win votes.

The various models and theories which attempt to explain Voting Behaviour are: 1. The Rational Choice Theory 2. The Party Identification Theory 3. The Sociological Theory 4. The Dominant Ideology Theory 5. The Contributory Theory 6. The Expressive Theory 7. The Issues-Based Model According to Robert Buddan, Voting Behaviour is influenced by the social characteristics of voters. These characteristics determine the extent to which Voting Behaviour will be a rational or issue-based activity in Trinidad.

THESIS STATEMENT: They are : 1. The existing Socio-Economic Issues 2. Race/Ethnicity 3. The Political Party’s Ideological Perception 4. The Conduct of the Marginal Voter 5. Statements made by Political Figures during Campaigns

PARAGRAPH #1: THE EXISTING SOCIO-ECONOMIC ISSUES
Topic Sentence:
The manner in which the incumbent Political Party treats with prevailing Socio-Economic Issues determines the extent to which voting will be rational. * The approach that governments take with
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