Political Science, Essay Example

In politics, sociological cleavages influence the choice of voters and are defined as perspectives emphasizing decisions made by voters during the voting process. This decision triggered by factors such as membership of individuals to certain groups. This is so because members of the said group are interested and concerned about issues relating to their group. Therefore, these members present similar choices during voting. For instance, members of the same social class, ethnic and religious group vote for the same person due to their shared interests and analogous affiliations. Additionally, this perspective has helped in explaining New Deal Coalition patterns of voting. Sociological cleavages for instance include royal families voting for their relative in order to pass the throne to their lineage. In this case, an example relates to Bush’s family. Most of those who voted for Bush belonged to the same social class as him and strived to make him stay in office. This is because they are inclined to the same social group and hence, share the same thoughts, feelings and imagination.

Nevertheless, not all people are influenced by the voter’s decision when it comes to voting patterns. These individuals follow the retrospective voting pattern, where they link their decision to the performance levels of both the past and present of their candidates. The decision made depends on penalties or rewards awarded to candidates’ level of performance. This model mostly applied by the middle and lower caste members of the society. Before making their decision, they reflect back at the benefits accorded to them by the said candidate. This model is suitable because it gives leaders a chance to explain and elaborate further on ways and means used during their sovereignty in office, if chosen. Leaders will be given an assignment of exploring pragmatic and unrealistic options to present to the public on why they should choose him or her over the other individual. Retrospective patterns of voting give candidates the opportunity of interacting with the public and learning more on their problems.

Many Western countries employ social cleavages in their voting patterns because they stabilize voting behavior and thus, reduce volatility during the election process. Social cleavages emphasize social structure impacts on voting behaviors by looking at the influence on membership of social groups to vote choice. In today’s society, voters are instrumental because they choose parties that best reflect their interest groups.

When voting, voters use cleavages by reflecting on social differentiation, which looks at material or symbolic, political policies for different groups in society. They also need to appoint a government that transmits conditions from one generation to another. Lastly, they employ physical and social conditions emphasizing proximity for long-term contact for generations to succeed. Political scientists argue that social paradigms not only affect group identities behavior of voting, but social cleavages structure also determines the number of parties in a political state. In short, in response to social cleavage interests, political parties build their theories. In addition, this sociological approach influences attitudes and interests of identity group, which affects voting behaviors of people.

Retrospective patterns also contribute significantly to 2012 elections because they have positive impacts. Voters will choose leaders who positively impact their lives and pass a bill that affects them directly and positively. Leaders making rush decisions during their term will not be voted for again because they risked people’s lives at some point. For example, Obama’s decision to go into war with Iraq posed as a threat to many Americans and other developing countries and thus, many voters are not convinced of his leadership styles and techniques employed. Voters need leaders who bear in mind their well being and accommodate them in all their decisions and plans. True leaders interact with people in order to gain an insight on problems and challenges faced by people of different states in the country. Americans will choose a leader who will pass bills that improves their living standards and looks into their problems.

In conclusion, retrospective voting patterns and social cleavages are approaches inclined to current patterns and behaviors of voting. People emphasize on social groups reigning in order to keep the generation going and benefit from it with the rise of globalization aspects. Social cleavages are factors contributing substantially to voting behaviors displayed by voters. Retrospective patterns are a challenge to leaders because people want to see results and actions implemented. Voting behaviors should accommodate people’s views, opinions and living standards because it spills down to development and productivity in a country.