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How political protests and activism influence voters and candidates
The "silent majority"-a phrase coined by Richard Nixon in 1969 in
response to Vietnam War protests and later used by Donald Trump as
a campaign slogan-refers to the supposed wedge that exists between
protestors in the street and the voters at home. The Loud Minority
upends this view by demonstrating that voters are in fact directly
informed and influenced by protest activism. Consequently, as
protests grow in America, every facet of the electoral process is
touched by this loud minority, benefiting the political party
perceived to be the most supportive of the protestors' messaging.
Drawing on historical evidence, statistical data, and detailed
interviews about protest activity since the 1960s, Daniel Gillion
shows that electoral districts with protest activity are more
likely to see increased voter turnout at the polls. Surprisingly,
protest activities are also moneymaking endeavors for electoral
politics, as voters donate more to political candidates who share
the ideological leanings of activists. Finally, protests are a
signal of political problems, encouraging experienced political
challengers to run for office and hurting incumbents' chances of
winning reelection. The silent majority may not speak by protesting
themselves, but they clearly gesture for social change with their
votes. An exploration of how protests affect voter behavior and
warn of future electoral changes, The Loud Minority looks at the
many ways that activism can shape democracy.
How political protests and activism influence voters and candidates
The "silent majority"-a phrase coined by Richard Nixon in 1969 in
response to Vietnam War protests and later used by Donald Trump as
a campaign slogan-refers to the supposed wedge that exists between
protestors in the street and the voters at home. The Loud Minority
upends this view by demonstrating that voters are in fact directly
informed and influenced by protest activism. Consequently, as
protests grow in America, every facet of the electoral process is
touched by this loud minority, benefiting the political party
perceived to be the most supportive of the protestors' messaging.
Drawing on historical evidence, statistical data, and detailed
interviews about protest activity since the 1960s, Daniel Gillion
shows that electoral districts with protest activity are more
likely to see increased voter turnout at the polls. Surprisingly,
protest activities are also moneymaking endeavors for electoral
politics, as voters donate more to political candidates who share
the ideological leanings of activists. Finally, protests are a
signal of political problems, encouraging experienced political
challengers to run for office and hurting incumbents' chances of
winning reelection. The silent majority may not speak by protesting
themselves, but they clearly gesture for social change with their
votes. An exploration of how protests affect voter behavior and
warn of future electoral changes, The Loud Minority looks at the
many ways that activism can shape democracy.
Rather than considering political discussions and rhetoric as
symbolic, inconsequential forms of politics, Governing with Words
conceptualizes them as forms of government action that can shape
institutions and societal norms. Daniel Q. Gillion refers to this
theory as 'discursive governance'. Federal politicians' statements
about racial and ethnic minority concerns aid the passage of
minority public policies and improve individual lifestyle
behaviors. Unfortunately, most of the American public continues to
disapprove of politicians' rhetoric that highlights race. The book
argues that addressing racial and ethnic inequality continues to be
a tug-of-war between avoiding the backlash of the majority in this
nation while advocating for minority interests. Even though this
paradox looms over politicians' discussions of race, race-conscious
political speech, viewed in its entirety, is the mechanism by which
marginalized groups find a place in the democratic process. Such
race-conscious discussions, the book argues, have ramifications
both within and outside of government.
Rather than considering political discussions and rhetoric as
symbolic, inconsequential forms of politics, Governing with Words
conceptualizes them as forms of government action that can shape
institutions and societal norms. Daniel Q. Gillion refers to this
theory as 'discursive governance'. Federal politicians' statements
about racial and ethnic minority concerns aid the passage of
minority public policies and improve individual lifestyle
behaviors. Unfortunately, most of the American public continues to
disapprove of politicians' rhetoric that highlights race. The book
argues that addressing racial and ethnic inequality continues to be
a tug-of-war between avoiding the backlash of the majority in this
nation while advocating for minority interests. Even though this
paradox looms over politicians' discussions of race, race-conscious
political speech, viewed in its entirety, is the mechanism by which
marginalized groups find a place in the democratic process. Such
race-conscious discussions, the book argues, have ramifications
both within and outside of government.
This book demonstrates the direct influence that political protest
behavior has on Congress, the presidency, and the Supreme Court,
illustrating that protest is a form of democratic responsiveness
that government officials have used, and continue to draw on, to
implement federal policies. Focusing on racial and ethnic minority
concerns, this book shows that the context of political protest has
served as a signal for political preferences. As pro minority
rights behavior grew and anti minority rights actions declined,
politicians learned from minority protest and responded when they
felt emboldened by stronger informational cues stemming from
citizens' behavior, a theory referred to as the information
continuum. Given the influence that minority protest actions have
wielded over national government, the book offers a powerful
implication. Although the shift from protest to politics as a
political strategy has opened the door for institutionalized
political opportunity, racial and ethnic minorities have neglected
a powerful tool to illustrate the inequalities that exist in
contemporary society."
Gillion demonstrates the direct influence that political protest
behavior has on Congress, the presidency and the Supreme Court,
illustrating that protest is a form of democratic responsiveness
that government officials have used, and continue to draw on, to
implement federal policies. Focusing on racial and ethnic minority
concerns, this book shows that the context of political protest has
served as a signal for political preferences. As pro-minority
rights behavior grew and anti-minority rights actions declined,
politicians learned from minority protest and responded when they
felt emboldened by stronger informational cues stemming from
citizens' behavior, a theory referred to as the 'information
continuum'. Although the shift from protest to politics as a
political strategy has opened the door for institutionalized
political opportunity, racial and ethnic minorities have neglected
a powerful tool to illustrate the inequalities that exist in
contemporary society.
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