Public Opinion Polling in a Globalized World (eBook)

Preface 5
Contents 6
Introduction 9
Contributions 14
References 17
Part 1: International Polls 18
The Effects of Globalisation on the Perception of Democracy 19
1 Introduction 19
2 Survey Research and Polling Itself 21
3 The Growth of Information and Its Availability 23
4 The Volume of Legislation 24
5 The Democracy Index 25
6 Concluding Remarks 28
Transatlantic Trends: Convergences and Divergences 30
1 Introduction 30
2 The Neighbors Across the Ocean 31
3 Boosting Trade, Fighting Poverty 37
4 Conclusions 46
References 46
A Europe of Values: From Shared History to Common Objectives 48
1 Introduction 48
2 Subjective Perception of Shared Values 49
3 Collective and Contextual Values 53
4 The New Values 56
5 Conclusion 63
References 64
Latin America’s Mixed Views About Globalization, Investments and the United States 65
1 Background 65
2 Attitudes Towards Foreign Investment 69
3 Attachment to the Homeland 71
4 Latin America’s Views About the Most Advanced Nations 73
5 The US as a World Leader 75
6 Conclusions 78
References 79
How Do the Western Balkans See Their Future? 81
1 Introduction 81
2 Research Design 85
3 Key Survey Findings 87
4 Conclusions 93
Reference 93
Part 2: Public Opinion Polling in National Elections 94
Exit Polls – A Lot More than Just a Tool for Election Forecasts 95
1 Background 95
2 The Methodology of Exit Polling 97
3 Forecast/ Projections 104
4 Analyzing and Presenting Results 107
5 Conclusion 109
Reference 110
Methodological Issues in Pre-Election Polling: Lessons from ABC News’ 32- Night Tracking Poll 111
1 Introduction 111
2 Tracking Methodology 112
3 Vote Estimates 113
4 Underrepresented Groups 115
5 Party Identification 118
6 Traditional Methodological Considerations8 128
7 Conclusion 134
References 135
The Presidential Elections in France 2007 – The Role of Opinion Polls 137
1 Background 137
2 A Long Campaign: Short- Listing of Candidates and the Role of Opinion Polls 138
3 Nicolas Sarkozy’s Victory: The Foundations 144
4 Reshaping Political Support 147
5 Strategic Break 148
6 The Campaign Follow-up and Adjustments 150
7 Opinion Polls – Tools of Communication and Subjects of Debate 151
8 In Conclusion 152
Voters Lack Commitment: Canada 155
1 Background 155
2 Turnout in Canada: The Evidence 157
3 Methodology 159
4 Findings 161
5 Commitment and Expressed Vote Intention 163
6 Political Engagement and the Democratic Deficit 166
7 Summary and Implications 169
References 170
Part 3: The Public Sector in Transition 172
Developing Employment Policy in Europe 173
1 Introduction: Challenges for Employment Policy in Europe 173
2 Data 174
3 Labour Market Participation 176
4 Actual and Preferred Weekly Working Hours 179
5 Companies’ Experiences with Part- Time Work 182
6 Actual and Preferred Sharing of Work Among Men and Women Living as a Couple 183
7 Working Conditions 186
8 Conclusion 188
References 189
The School Sport Partnership Programme – Raising Levels of Participation in Physical Education and Sport in Schools in England 191
1 Background 191
2 Method 195
3 The Results 199
4 Concluding Remarks 205
References 206
Client Satisfaction with Public Services: A Norwegian Case 207
1 Introduction 207
2 Client Satisfaction and Public Policy Design 208
3 Satisfaction with Public Services in Decline? 210
4 Facing the Challenge 216
5 Future Directions 221
References 224
Part 4: Asia on the Move 226
The Role of Social Research in Development Programs: Examples from India 227
1 Introduction 227
2 Transition in Asia 228
3 Role of Social Research in India 234
4 Case Study – Contribution of Research in HIV/ AIDS Control in India 240
5 Conclusions 242
References 243
A Framework for Social Development Assessment 244
1 The Behavioural Change Challenge 244
2 An Idea Was Formed 245
3 Developing a Social Assessment Framework 247
4 Program Effectiveness Index 249
5 Case Study – Aceh Tsunami Relief 251
6 UNICEF View on Outcome 256
7 Future Perspectives 260
References 262
Polling in Developing Democracies – The Case of the Philippines 263
1 Background 263
2 Primary Users of Public Opinion Surveys 265
3 Ballot Box Methodology 266
4 Pre- election Surveys 267
5 Exit Poll or Election- Day Survey 267
6 Problems in Implementing Public- Opinion Surveys 269
7 Sample Results of Public- Opinion Polls 271
8 Concluding Remarks 275
References 276
Maori Television Services – Raising Knowledge of Maori Language and Culture in New Zealand 277
1 Background 277
2 Method 280
3 Findings 283
4 Discussion 286
References 286
About the Authors 288