Journal article
The Relationship between Divisive Primaries and General Election Outcomes
American journal of political science, Vol.31(1), pp.31-44
02/1987
DOI: 10.2307/2111323
Abstract
This research examines the effect of divisive primaries on general election outcomes. Small group research is used to establish a theoretical framework for understanding the behavior implicit in the divisive primary hypothesis. We contend that the opposing sides in a primary battle develop in-group loyalties and out-group hostilities similar to those documented by social psychologists studying small group behavior. In order to empirically test this hypothesis, we develop a new measure of primary divisiveness. Previous research has failed to consider the divisiveness of one party's primary relative to the other party's primary when assessing the impact of divisiveness on general election outcomes. Using ordinary least-squares regression, we find that divisive presidential primaries do indeed have a deleterious effect on the general election results. Specifically, when one party has a divisive primary season while the other party's nominee is essentially uncontested, then the divided party will be adversely affected in November.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- The Relationship between Divisive Primaries and General Election Outcomes
- Creators
- Patrick J KenneyTom W Rice
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- American journal of political science, Vol.31(1), pp.31-44
- DOI
- 10.2307/2111323
- ISSN
- 0092-5853
- eISSN
- 1540-5907
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 02/1987
- Academic Unit
- Political Science
- Record Identifier
- 9983988985902771
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