Perspective Getting and Cross-Party Support for Electoral Fairness.
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| Title: | Perspective Getting and Cross-Party Support for Electoral Fairness. |
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| Authors: | Strickler, Ryan (AUTHOR) |
| Source: | Political Behavior. Jun2026, Vol. 48 Issue 2, p947-972. 26p. |
| Subjects: | Perspective taking, Election law, Empathy, Partisanship, Polarization (Social sciences), Bipartisanship, Democracy |
| Geographic Terms: | United States |
| Abstract: | A worrisome characteristic of polarization in the United States is public ambivalence, or even opposition, to liberal democratic norms. This study explores the role perspective getting across party lines can play in building support for such norms, focusing specifically on fair elections. I argue that cross-party perspective getting allows partisans to recognize when an outparty member is harmed by unfair election laws, empathize with their plight, and consequently connect that empathy with opposition toward said laws. I assess this argument through a series of experiments where Democrats and Republicans are presented real-life scenarios of their own party violating fair election norms. Treatment consists of viewing a short perspective getting video testimonial from a harmed outparty member. I find that this minimal intervention can at times depress support for unfair election laws, even when one's own party stands to benefit. What's more, the strongest partisans respond as much or more to treatment as compared to weaker partisans. The effect of perspective getting is mixed, varying across partisan and issue contexts. This being said, the study points to the broader potential for sharing individual outpartisan perspectives as one avenue to shore up support for liberal democratic norms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| Database: | Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection |
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| Abstract: | A worrisome characteristic of polarization in the United States is public ambivalence, or even opposition, to liberal democratic norms. This study explores the role perspective getting across party lines can play in building support for such norms, focusing specifically on fair elections. I argue that cross-party perspective getting allows partisans to recognize when an outparty member is harmed by unfair election laws, empathize with their plight, and consequently connect that empathy with opposition toward said laws. I assess this argument through a series of experiments where Democrats and Republicans are presented real-life scenarios of their own party violating fair election norms. Treatment consists of viewing a short perspective getting video testimonial from a harmed outparty member. I find that this minimal intervention can at times depress support for unfair election laws, even when one's own party stands to benefit. What's more, the strongest partisans respond as much or more to treatment as compared to weaker partisans. The effect of perspective getting is mixed, varying across partisan and issue contexts. This being said, the study points to the broader potential for sharing individual outpartisan perspectives as one avenue to shore up support for liberal democratic norms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| ISSN: | 01909320 |
| DOI: | 10.1007/s11109-025-10056-0 |
