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Soviet Elections Revisited: Voter Abstention in Noncompetitive Voting

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  • Karklins, Rasma

Abstract

This analysis of voters and nonvoters in a large sample of recent emigrants from the Soviet Union shows that nonvoting is correlated with high interest in politics, a critical political outlook, and dissident modes of behavior. Thus, voter abstention in noncompetitive balloting can be hypothesized to constitute a significant political act rather than passivity. Single-party states use single-candidate elections for a variety of purposes, one of these being the psychological reinforcement of unity between regime and subjects. In this context, the only choice left to the dissenting citizen is not to vote at all. In the contemporary Soviet Union, nonvoting is regionally focused on Moscow and Leningrad, and is associated with post-Stalinist generational change. The covert nature of vote evasion and its informal tolerance provide a new perspective on the character of the Soviet system and its political culture.

Suggested Citation

  • Karklins, Rasma, 1986. "Soviet Elections Revisited: Voter Abstention in Noncompetitive Voting," American Political Science Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 80(2), pages 449-469, June.
  • Handle: RePEc:cup:apsrev:v:80:y:1986:i:02:p:449-469_18
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    Cited by:

    1. Michael K Miller, 2013. "Electoral authoritarianism and democracy: A formal model of regime transitions," Journal of Theoretical Politics, , vol. 25(2), pages 153-181, April.
    2. Stephen White & Ian McAllister, 2007. "Turnout and Representation Bias in Post‐communist Europe," Political Studies, Political Studies Association, vol. 55(3), pages 586-606, October.
    3. Lee E. Dutter, 1990. "Theoretical Perspectives on Ethnic Political Behavior in the Soviet Union," Journal of Conflict Resolution, Peace Science Society (International), vol. 34(2), pages 311-334, June.
    4. Wong, Mathew Y.H., 2021. "Democracy, hybrid regimes, and inequality: The divergent effects of contestation and inclusiveness," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 146(C).

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