Why 22% for Ross Perot? A Political Sociological Analysis of the 1992 Presidential Election

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