Party Realignment: Ethnic Identity versus Egocentrism among Malaysian Voters
Abstract
This study investigates the dynamics of voting intention concerning party realignment among voters in Malaysia using a Theory of Reasoned Action-based model. It delves into the roles of attitudes and subjective norms in shaping party preferences and aligns with quantitative methodology. A comprehensive self-administered survey questionnaire engaged 450 participants from diverse ethnic backgrounds in the Batang Kali State Constituency to elucidate party realignment complexities. They are chosen using stratified random sampling, based on a race proportion of 5:1:1. The findings reveal that voter attitudes wielded a more significant impact than subjective norms associated with ethnic identity. This outcome underscores the pivotal role of attitudes in influencing decision-making, while the influence of subjective norms remains limited. The research highlights the subjective norm's role in a multicultural context, clarifying that it is not the primary catalyst for party realignment. Instead, personal beliefs (people's egocentric behaviour) play a substantial role in shaping voter attitudes. These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the interplay between subjective norms (ethnic identity), attitudes (egocentrism), and party realignment within Malaysia's diverse social landscape. Moreover, they hold significant implications for formulating effective political strategies and government policies within a multicultural society.
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References
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