Supplementing the Macro-Level Analysis : Determinants of Vote Choice in the 2000 Canadian Parliamentary Elections

The variety of electoral competition patterns across districts ultimately depends on the distribution of electoral supports at the individual level. Supplementing the macro analysis, this essay is to identify the existing political cleavages upon which the shape of the Canadian party systems is based. Findings are: first, the individual evaluative perceptions of the party leadership and individual attachment to a particular party plays a significant role. Second, Rather, the electorate’s perception of the party as gauged by the (partisan feeling thermometers) is also significant. Third, it is sociotropic economic voting. Finally, we find the most important impact of regional dummy variables in the 2000 Canadian parliamentary elections. Most parties seem to have their regional stronghold and to become a major party at the national level with regionally concentrated electoral supports.