This effect certainly appeared to be in effect in France and the Netherlands. In Spain, other intervening variables may have come into play. If I ever figure out how to build a dataset in R, a free statistical software, I may try to test it further. This was the basis of the research design in my methodology class. Methodology is hard, and dissapointing because I only eked out a B in that class, which is not a good grade in American grad school.
Do you anything about R? And I'll give my consent to any government that does not deny a man a living wage-Billy Bragg
R is hard. And I'll give my consent to any government that does not deny a man a living wage-Billy Bragg
http://www.eurotribwiki.com/pmwiki.php/Main/ToolsForAction Those whom the Gods wish to destroy They first make mad. -- Euripides
It's an anti-system bias, when voters feel that no matter what they do voting for an "established" party isn't going to result in them having their interests represented. And I'll give my consent to any government that does not deny a man a living wage-Billy Bragg
Basically, it's a protest vote that has no instrumental purpose. Smaller parties campaign on an issue, and voters cast their ballots to raise the salience of that issue, not to elect the party. Rigid systems like the US aren't immune, witness the effect of the Reform party in 1992 and 1996. And I'll give my consent to any government that does not deny a man a living wage-Billy Bragg
