Predictors of Electoral Participation among Spanish and Latin American Undergraduates
- 1 Universidad de Alcalá, Alcalá de Henares, Spain
- 2 Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
- 3 Universidad de Alcalá, Alcalá de Henares, Spain
Abstract
This paper presents the results of a study of 709 undergraduates in Nicaragua, El Salvador, Chile, and Spain, countries with different developmental levels that held the first free elections following their re spective dictatorships within a thirteen year span. The paper analyzes the electoral participation of under graduates in relation to different factors. Results show a high electoral participation among Salvadoran, Nicaraguan, and Spanish undergraduates, while low turnout is observed among Chileans. The best pre d ictors of electoral participation of undergraduates are related to their nationality, economic status, inter est in politics, gender or living away from home .
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