Electoral behavior

ELECTORAL BEHAVIOR

Rationality, identity and personalism in Lula da Silva’vote in Salvador

This study attempts to address the process that culminated in the re-election of  Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in 2006.  It is based on a case study carried out in the city of Salvador, Bahia, as well as on analysis of secondary data. We employed a qualitative methodology using data collected through focus groups. Our findings indicate that voters tended to act largely on the basis of rational,retrospective evaluation of government performance, but were also informed by identity issues  and personalist tendencies.

Keywords: Electoral behavior. Identity. Personalism. Rationality.Voting.