Summary

A Theory of the Calculus of Voting The calculus of voting is supported by a theory that tends to calculate or weigh the cost of voting and the expected returns. According to theory, the cost of voting outweighs its returns and this explains the reason why the voting activity is considered irrational by various researchers who attest and concur to the supposed theory (Riker & Peter, 33). The calculus of voting explains both the merits and demerits of the voting activity to calculation individual cost and benefits in comparison to that of the magnitude (Riker & Peter, 33). An individual vote, according to the calculus of voting, has is a great utility to a magnitude. Though this theory measure the voting activity in terms of individual cost and benefits, it supports the ideological difference that exist between those willing to and those not willing to vote. This means that voting is a choice according to the theory of voting in relation to the voting calculus.
A resource Model of Political Participation
This article depicts the reasons behind peoples’ participation or lack of participation in voting activities. According to the article, voting is a choice based on the level of commitment, civic knowledge, and finance to support the process. The three mentioned factors are grouped under resources and any of these determines whether an individual is ready to vote. A person with poor civic skill sees no need of voting and tends to calculate its benefit in line with spent time. Again, a person engaging in a more beneficial activity apart from voting sees no need in the process and continues with a more beneficial activity. This is a clear indication that voting is a choice based the costs and benefits according to the information displayed in this article.
Social Identity, Altruism, and Political Participation
This article explains the voting process as a choice propelled by self-interest. According to the given information, nobody can participate in an activity without an interest. Voting is a public activity that involves many people though only few people benefit from the entire process (Riker & Peter, 36). For instance, the candidates and their family relations tend to benefit largely from the voting process and this explains self-interest and the level of benefit as a motivating factor. Apart from self interest, some people vote to save a magnitude without considering their interests. Voting without self-interest is a choice as explained in this article. This makes it difficult to determine whether voting is a choice or a fundamental activity. Social Identity, Political participation, and Altruism are choices that determine the voting attitude of an individual based on choice.
The Kollman
The Kollman chapter tends to depict or discuss the issues that surround voting. According to this chapter, the voter turnout among the young and those in the lower socio-economic classes tend to be low as compared to their counterparts. This is due to the supposed theory that voting costs are higher than received benefits. The theory is based on the fact that a single vote can cause a tie or decide the winning side. Educated people, according to Kollman chapter, vote in higher proportions than the non-educated. This chapter also gives fill explanation on the fluctuation of voter turnout under different circumstances. The differences in perception of people in various socio-economic classes have been discussed in this chapter answering some voting questions. The ideological difference across the socio-economic levels is based on the costs and benefits of every person failing in the bracket.
Work Cited
Riker, William , and Peter Ordeshook. ” A Theory of the Calculus of Voting.” Philosophy and History 62. 1 (1968): 25-42. American Political Science AssociationStable. Web. 2 Oct. 2014.