However, there is a striking gap in the literature on issue voting. There is one obvious reason for this state of affairs. Social grouping such as social classes or religions can be found in every society.
Emotions are universal.
But the political issues which dominate the substance of politicians' speeches are usually specific to the country in question, shaped by its particular political culture, institutional practices and socio-economic structure. This paper aims to make a small contribution towards filling this gap. In the even these scales were also included in the 1992 ANES undertaken that autumn. But comparative research requires not only comparable data but also relevant questions to be asked of it. Our aim here is to test some very simple and oft asserted claims about the differences between American and British politics, and more particularly their party systems.