An Angry, Hopeful, or Efficacious Citizen: Information, Emotion, and Participation in an Emerging Democracy

Abstract

A growing body of research has examined how access to political information via digital media contributes to democratic participation in new or transitory democracies. Much of this work focuses on cognitive factors, such as political efficacy and civic knowledge, while less attention is paid to the role of emotion. Drawing on insights from the orientation–stimuli–orientation–response (O-S-O-R) and anger activism model (AAM), this study proposes and tests a model of political information seeking and participation using a national survey of adult Nigerians (N = 600). Findings provide support for the model and highlight potential pathways through which political information may enhance participation.