Voting for political change: An intergroup perspective

During national elections voters exercise a vote for or against political change. In addition to predictable differences in support for change between those who are aligned with the parties in government and opposition, social psychological factors related to strength of party identification, perceived normative support for change, beliefs about the prototypicality of the incumbent leaders and their policies, and perceptions of the stability and legitimacy of the current power relations, might be related to preference for political change. Results based on a convenience sample of 320 voters during the 2004 Australian federal election suggested that, over and above alignment with one of the two political sides, perceived legitimacy of the government, belief that the opposing party provided a viable alternative and normative support for change were important factors in the endorsement of change for voters on both sides. Results are discussed in terms of the intergroup dynamics underlying social change.