Psychology of Democracy
Of the People, By the People, For the People

This book is about all our futures and demonstrates how essential insights from political psychology can nurture and safeguard democracy.

Ashley Weinberg (Edited by)

9781108477758, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 3 March 2022

350 pages
23.5 x 15.7 x 3 cm, 0.81 kg

'This book forcefully illustrates psychology's critical contribution to our understanding of democracy as a form of government 'of the people, by the people and for the people'. Its international team of contributors spans a wide range of topics crucial for revitalizing democracy today.' Brady Wagoner, Centre for Cultural Psychology, Department of Communication and Psychology, Aalborg University, Denmark

Democracy was forged in the furnaces of oppression, whether combatting tyranny or affirming the rights of the individual. As democracy is under threat in many parts of the world, there has never been a more urgent need to understand political thoughts and behaviours. This lucid and accessible book brings together a global group of scholars from psychology, political science, communication, sociology, education and psychiatry. The book's structure, based on Abraham Lincoln's well-known phrase 'Of, by and for' the people, scrutinises the psychological factors experienced by politicians as representatives 'of' the electorate, the political institutions and systems devised 'by' those we elect, and the societies that influence the context 'for' us as citizens. From trust to risk, from political values to moral and religious priorities, from the personality and language of leaders to fake news and anti-democratic forces, this book provides vital new insights for researchers, politicians and citizens alike.

1. Psychology of democracy Ashley Weinberg
of the people
2. Personality, politics and strong democracy: a review of research and future directions Jo Silvester and Madeleine Wyatt
3. From Big Ben to the breakfast table: basic values and political attitudes among politicians and the public James Weinberg
4. Under the microscope: Prime Minister's questions in the UK Parliament Peter Bull and Maurice Waddle
5. Cognitive complexity: sometimes a boon and sometimes a danger to democracy Peter Suedfeld
6. In 'a league of their own'? Judgement and decision-making by politicians and non-politicians Barbara Vis and Sjoerd Stolwijk
7. The mental well-being of politicians Ashley Weinberg
by the people
8. Trust in political institutions and support for authoritarianism in Latin American students: does civic knowledge make a difference? Daniel Miranda, Juan-Carlos Castillo, Catalina Miranda and José Conejeros
9. New technology, language and gesture in contemporary Indian political discourse Rukmini Bhaya Nair
10. Fact or fiction: influences on voter decision-making in a disinformation environment David Redlawsk, Kyle Mattes and Karol Solis Menco
11. Dissecting the psychology of a voter: a citizen-centric approach in studying electoral experience and behavior Sarah Harrison
12. Building trust through a revolving door of leaders: the poisoned chalice Joakim Eidenfalk and Stuart Woodcock
13. After the party is over Jane Roberts
for the people: 14. Democracy as a moral challenge Gian Vittorio Caprara
15. 'Can I trust my future?' Youth civic engagement, civic identity and dystopias Ben Bowman, Thalia Magioglou and Helen Haste
16. Religious identity politics and genuine support for democracy Gizem Arikan and Pazit Ben-Nun Bloom
17. Psychology, democracy and the media: are citizens learning from the news? A self reflective learning perspective Sharon Coen and Karl Turgut Maloney Yorganci
18. A social psychological approach to understanding China's democratisation Yida Zhai
19. The psychology of radicalised conceptions of democracy – steps too far? Rod Dubrow-Marshall.

Subject Areas: Political science & theory [JPA], Social, group or collective psychology [JMH], Psychology [JM]