Newtonian Mechanics and Predictive Election Theory
- 1 July 1977
- journal article
- other
- Published by Cambridge University Press (CUP) in British Journal of Political Science
- Vol. 7 (3) , 413-418
- https://doi.org/10.1017/s0007123400001058
Abstract
Analyses of elections, whether academic or journalistic, are permeated by terms drawn from physics. We discuss the inertia or volatility of an electorate, the momentum of a campaign, pressures and cross-pressures, party actions and reactions, the impact of short-term forces. Although imprecise, these borrowings convey genuine information about the characteristics of an election, and they would be difficult to replace.Keywords
This publication has 1 reference indexed in Scilit:
- From Confusion to Confusion: Issues and the American Voter (1956–1972)American Political Science Review, 1977