Political Behavior and the Emotional Citizen

Abstract

Chapter 7: This chapter aims to disentangle the influence of emotions on threat perception and political information seeking. In search of the “ultimate” citizenry required for a functioning democracy (Dahl 1998), empirical tests of information seeking, learning, deliberation, and free discussion are crucial. These tests shed light on the determinants of who is willing to learn about politics, seek more information to extend their knowledge, share, and discuss politics, in addition to the contexts where these activities occur. Given these domains, we need to explore the multiple causes of political participation and interest. In line with the earlier chapters, I explore these domains through the lens of emotions.