Young voters and the left: examining the possible shift in young voters’ political leanings
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2024-07-09
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en
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This thesis examines the political leanings of young voters in the Netherlands, focusing on how economic factors and the political climate during an individual’s formative years influence voting behaviour. Despite trends in Europe showing increased right-wing support among youth, an analysis of Dutch Electoral Study data (1971-2021) finds that Dutch youth (ages 18-25) still predominantly support left-wing parties. The analysis finds that the youngest cohort of voters consistently shows a stronger tendency to support left-wing parties compared to older cohorts, reaffirming the notion of youthful leftism/progressiveness. The left-leaning propensity of young Dutch voters is not found to weaken over time, challenging the premise that prompted this research.
This study reveals that the left-leaning propensity of young Dutch voters neither significantly strengthens over time, challenging the assumption that young voters are uniformly becoming more left-leaning or progressive due to increased economic security. However, higher unemployment rates during an individual’s formative years are found to correlate with a shift away from left-wing support. Additionally, it is found that exposure to leftist governments during an individual’s formative years decreases future support for left-wing parties, indicating protest voting tendencies. These findings underscore the lasting impact of economic and political contexts on youth voting behaviour. This research enhances the understanding of political socialisation, suggesting that while Dutch youth remain left-leaning, their political preferences are significantly shaped by their formative years' economic and political conditions.
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Faculteit der Managementwetenschappen