Off-campus South Dakota State University users: To download campus access theses, please use the following link to log into our proxy server with your South Dakota State University ID and password.

Non-South Dakota State University users: Please talk to your librarian about requesting this thesis through interlibrary loan.

Document Type

Dissertation - University Access Only

Award Date

1993

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department / School

Rural Sociology

First Advisor

Donna J. Hess

Abstract

A political sociological analysis was conducted in an attempt to explain the phenomenon of third-party voting in the 1992 presidential e lection in South Dakota. A theoretical model based on key concepts in political sociology was developed. Hypothesized relationships between the concepts of relative deprivation, status inconsistency, alienation, and social class and third-party or protest voting in South Dakota were tested empirically. The methodology involved a case study of one county in South Dakota, as well as analysis of aggregate level data for all counties in South Dakota. Analysis of aggregate (county) data revealed significant association between indicators of relative deprivation and social class and per cent voting for Ross Perot. Case study data analysis indicated no difference between those voting for Ross Perot and a control group made up of mainline party voters in terms of experiencing social and political alienation; both groups were found to be politically alienated.

Library of Congress Subject Headings

Perot, Ross, 1930-2019
Presidential candidates -- United States
Presidents -- United States -- Election -- 1992
Third parties (United States politics)
South Dakota -- Politics and government

Format

application/pdf

Publisher

South Dakota State University

Share

COinS