ABSTRACT
The sociology of voting behavior is a rather good field in which to put the rational action approach to the test. A contrary view has been suggested by Jon Elster who argues that rational choice theory may not be appropriate for the study of voting, since "Voting does seem to be a case in which the action itself, rather than the outcome it can be expected to produce, is what matters". The difference between the present discounted values is termed the "party differential" and the rational voter votes for whichever party gives the largest income stream. The proximate cause of the voting decision will be a generalized loyalty to Labour rather than an instrumental choice to support Labour because of the outcomes Labour will secure for the voter. One possibility is that Catholics are an economically disadvantaged group and it is their economic disadvantage rather than religion per se that accounts for their greater willingness to support Labour.
