The social basis of the rational citizen : how political communication in social networks improves civic competence / Sean Richey.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Richey, Sean.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Communication in politics.

Social networks--Political aspects.

Social networks.

Social media--Political aspects.

Social media.

Physical Description:

v, 109 pages ; 24 cm

Place of Publication:

Lanham [Maryland] : Lexington Books, [2014]

Summary:

Social networking fascinates scholars, pundits, and a billion Facebook users. This book shows that whom we know has a vast impact on our political beliefs, actions, and abilities. Prior scholarship has shown that networks are crucial to explaining everything from how bills get through Congress, why people vote, how NGOs become successful in developing nations, and much more; yet an in-depth analysis of the social basis of the rationality is missing. To fill this void, The Social Basis of the Rational Citizen provides the first empirical analysis of the most important hypothesized effect of social network influence on politics: social cognition. Through new lab experiments and survey data, this book shows that decision-making in groups promotes more rational choices and better citizenship. Thus, advice and learning derived from social network contacts are shown to be the basis of decision-making for the rational citizen. Book jacket.

Contents:

Discussion and rationality

Political discussion and voting correctly

Influences on vote choice in discussion networks

Policy opinions and discussion networks

Rationality, patriotism and social networks

What promotes political discussion and advocacy?

The electoral system and political discussion.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9780739166307

0739166301

OCLC:

856054394