voting bloc

(noun)

A group of voters that are strongly motivated by a specific common concern or group of concerns to the point that such specific concerns tend to dominate their voting patterns, causing them vote together in elections.

Related Terms

Examples of voting bloc in the following topics:

  • Hispanics as a Political Force

    • For example, in the 2010 midterm elections, in spite of general Republican victories, 60% of Hispanics voted Democratic, while only 38% voted Republican.
    • In comparison, the same study showed that in 2012, non-Hispanic whites were expected to constitute 73.4% of the national vote.
    • Non-Hispanic blacks were only expected to represent 12.2% of the national vote.
    • Hispanics are often classified as a unitary voting bloc, but there are differences in political preferences within this community.

  • Gender Inequality in Politics

    • Historically, this was even more true when women were neither considered full citizens, nor could not vote.
    • This section will trace the historical development of women achieving the right to vote and will then consider recent developments as women have achieved political power as representatives, in addition to being members of the voting public.
    • Before 1920, women did not have a national right to vote in the United States.
    • In other words, "women" are supposed to have certain political priorities (usually those having to do with children and education) that unite all women as a voting bloc, or a group of individuals who tend to vote in the same way.
    • For this reason, political strategists see the "female vote" as one to be won.

  • Distribution of Wealth and Income

    • Motivations for such limitations on wealth include the desire for equality of opportunity, a fear that great wealth leads to political corruption, the belief that limiting wealth will gain the political favor of a voting bloc, or fear that extreme concentration of wealth results in rebellion.

  • Trade Blocs and Common Markets

    • A trade bloc is an agreement where regional barriers to trade are reduced or eliminated among the participating states.
    • The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) is an example of a formal trade bloc.
    • However, entering a trade bloc also strengthens ties between member parties.
    • For better or for worse, trade blocs are prevalent.
    • Since 1997, more than 50% of all world commerce was conducted under the auspices of regional trade blocs, such as NAFTA.

  • Political Parties

    • A party committee may choose to endorse one or another of those who is seeking the nomination, but in the end the choice is up to those who choose to vote in the primary, and it is often difficult to tell who is going to do the voting.
    • Each party competes for votes from the enfranchised constituents (those allowed to vote).
    • In Proportional Representation, each party wins a number of seats proportional to the number of votes it receives.
    • A two-party system requires voters to align themselves in large blocs, sometimes so large that they cannot agree on any overarching principles.
    • In these nations, multiple political parties have often formed coalitions for the purpose of developing power blocs for governing.

  • Voting Patterns and Inequality

    • In any political system where voting is allowed, some people are more likely to vote than others.
    • While women are generally as likely to vote (or even more likely to vote; see figure below) in developed countries, women are underrepresented in political positions.
    • One of the factors that predicts how people vote is attitudes toward gender equality.
    • Young people are much less likely to vote than are older people.
    • Racial and ethnic minorities are generally less likely to vote than the majority population.

  • Resocialization and Total Institutions

    • Within a total institution, the basic needs of a entire bloc of people are under bureaucratic control.

  • Politics

    • In the 2008 presidential election, 76.2% of graduate degree holders voted, while only 23.4% of people without high school degrees voted.
    • Political participation refers to whether or not a person votes in elections, donates to campaigns, or attends public forums where decisions are made, such as town meetings or city council meetings, for example.
    • Wealthy, well-educated Americans are more likely to vote and to donate money to politicians than lower class individuals.
    • Those who vote as members of a social class can be said to be participating in identity politics.
    • Those with high educational attainment are more likely to vote in elections than those with little education.

  • Voting Behavior

    • There have been many efforts to increase turnout and encourage voting.
    • In each nation, some parts of society are more likely to vote than others.
    • Socioeconomic factors significantly affect whether or not individuals voting tendencies.
    • Young people are much less likely to vote than are older people, and they are less likely to be politicians.
    • Wealthier and more educated people are more likely to vote.

  • The Political Participation of Women

    • The amendment stated, "the right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex."
    • Women responded to these issues, but in terms of general voting, they shared the same outlook and the same voting behavior as men.
    • While women are generally as likely to vote in developed countries, they are underrepresented in political positions.