Mobilization, Informal Networks and the Social Contexts of Turnout

This chapter discusses an existing general theory and research about mobilization by parties, secondary associations and the media and then turns their attention to the role of interpersonal networks. They use Comparative National Elections Project (CNEP) data to examine the extent to which the electorate exposure to mobilization efforts contributes to the explanation of turnout, as well as the extent to which the decision to vote is contingent on the attributes and behaviors of those with whom they interact in informal groups. Voting is compulsory, sanctions for non-voting exist and those sanctions are typically enforced, using the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA) Voter Turnout data set. The direction of the relationship between our estimates of direct and indirect mobilization effects and the two macro-level variables are in the expected direction: positive for Age of Democracy and negative for Margin of Victory.