Voto estructural, racional Y mediatizado EN las elecciones generales espaÑolas DE 1996, 2000 Y 2004

Abstract

The article presents three voting models that attempt to explain what is specific about each of the last three general elections held in Spain. Thus, a structural model is proposed for the 1996 elections, a rational-economic model for the elections in 2000, and a mediatized model to explain the mechanisms that intervened in the 2004 elections. The article then presents a voting model that attempts to integrate the main conclusions drawn from each of the previous models. Special emphasis is placed on the communicational mechanisms of the last elections (2004), underlining the influence of the media in attributing responsibility, the issue according to which voters evaluate public policy. Simultaneously, attention is called to the active role of the audiences in selecting the messages that are coherent with their personal experience and their cultural pattern.