Going Negative: How Political Advertisements Shrink & Polarize The Electorate

Stephen Ansolabehere & Shanto Iyengar

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This study demonstrates how attack advertisements win elections. Political adverts cost millions and they now increasingly focus on the opponents weaknesses through nasty and personal attacks. Drawing on both laboratory experiments and the real world of America's presidential, and congressional races, the author shows that negative advertising drives down voter turnout, and the political consultants intentionally use adverts for this purpose. Among the authors conclusions are that negative adverts work better for Republicans than for Democrats, and better for men than for women. Negative adverts also work better than positive ones, so attacking has become nearly universal. The authors also argue that as independent voters are driven away by all this negativity, the voting public is increasingly reduced to partisan extremes.

What will you learn from this book

  1. Impact of Negative Ads: The book may delve into the psychological and emotional impact of negative political advertisements on voters, exploring how such ads can shape perceptions and attitudes.

  2. Electorate Polarization: Expect insights into how negative campaigning can contribute to increased polarization among voters, deepening the divide between different political ideologies.

  3. Strategic Use of Negativity: The authors might discuss the strategic considerations behind employing negative advertising, exploring when and why political campaigns choose this approach.

  4. Media Influence: The book may address how negative political ads interact with the media landscape, considering how they are covered and disseminated by news outlets.

  5. Voter Turnout: Insights into the potential effects of negative campaigning on voter turnout, examining whether it discourages or motivates individuals to participate in elections.

  6. Civility in Politics: The authors may discuss the broader implications of negative campaigning on the overall civility of political discourse, both during campaigns and in the broader political environment.

  7. Long-term Political Effects: Expect insights into how negative advertising can have lasting effects on public perception and political engagement, potentially influencing future elections.

  8. Public Opinion Formation: The book may explore how negative ads contribute to the formation of public opinion, including the factors that make these ads particularly influential or ineffective.

  9. Regulatory Considerations: Discussions on potential regulatory measures or ethical considerations related to negative political advertising and its impact on the democratic process.

  10. Alternative Campaigning Strategies: The authors might provide suggestions for alternative campaigning strategies that focus on positive messaging and issue-based discussions, aiming to create a more constructive political environment.

Language English
ISBN-10 0-684-82284-9
ISBN-13 9780684822846
No of pages 243
Font Size Medium
Book Publisher Free Press
Published Date 01 Jan 1996

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