A Theory of the Calculus of Voting - Essay Example

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 measures the voting activity in terms of individual cost and benefits, it supports the ideological difference that exists 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 on 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 a 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 socioeconomic 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 the Kollman chapter, vote in higher proportions than non-educated. This chapter also gives a full explanation of the fluctuation of voter turnout under different circumstances.