A résumé of the individual, the institutional and the contextual perspective regarding research on electoral participation finds population size and population density having only to a limited extent been subjected to empirical tests in international studies, and Sweden not being observed in this matter at all. The research question How do population size and population density correlate with electoral participation on an aggregated level? is therefore formulated, together with a threefold purpose comprised of i) subjecting hypotheses on population factors to a theory-testing study, ii) contributing to research about aggregated election statistics, and iii) investigating and analyzing electoral participation in Swedish municipalities. Hypotheses propound by Blais and Dobrzynska (1998) and Geys (2006) are employed. H1 presuppose a negative correlation between population size and electoral participation. Concerning population density, H2 anticipate a positive association, while H3 on the contrary suggests a negative such. Quantitative method is used as statistical analysis is executed via regression models, which examines the electoral participation on the municipality level in the general elections to the Swedish Riksdag between 1991 to 2022. Results support H1 and H3 with statistical significance achieved for negative correlations, signifying that turnout is estimated to decrease as population size and population density increases. However, analysis of the outcomes underlines uncertainty as levels of confidence varies. Furthermore, with regression coefficients being nearly flat, conclusions point to small implications of these results. Closing discussions advocate how population factors could be adopted as contextual determinants in the research on electoral participation, per suggestions on qualitative approaches moving forward.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:UPSALLA1/oai:DiVA.org:su-213750 |
| Date | January 2022 |
| Creators | Mellergård, Sebastian |
| Publisher | Stockholms universitet, Statsvetenskapliga institutionen |
| Source Sets | DiVA Archive at Upsalla University |
| Language | Swedish |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Student thesis, info:eu-repo/semantics/bachelorThesis, text |
| Format | application/pdf |
| Rights | info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess |
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