Retrospective voting assesses which aspect of an incumbent?

Retrospective voting is a concept in political science that focuses on how voters evaluate incumbents based on their previous actions and performance in office. This voting behavior is grounded in the belief that voters hold elected officials accountable for their past decisions and the outcomes resulting from those decisions. When individuals exhibit retrospective voting, they look back at the policies implemented, the economic and social conditions that prevailed during the incumbents' term, and overall satisfaction with governmental performance.

Voters who engage in retrospective voting are typically assessing whether the incumbent has met their expectations and whether their governance has effectively addressed the issues facing the electorate. If voters believe that an incumbent's past performance has been satisfactory, they are more likely to support their re-election. Conversely, if the performance is deemed unsatisfactory, voters may express their dissatisfaction by voting for challengers.

In this context, retrospective voting directly relates to the assessment of an incumbent's track record rather than future promises, party loyalty, or campaign tactics. Thus, the emphasis is placed on evaluating how well incumbents have fulfilled their responsibilities and the impact of their governance on voters' lives.