Authenticity is a cornerstone of democratic representation, but how do political candidates navigate its tension with strategic self-presentation? This study examines candidate authenticity across diverse contexts and methodologies. Using large-scale surveys alongside controlled field experiments testing voter reactions to candidate statements about personal characteristics, the research uncovers nuanced patterns in authentic political communication.
Data & Methods:
* Surveys covering multiple countries' electorates
* Field experiments assessing voter perception of authenticity claims
Key Findings:
* Candidates strategically employ selective authenticity based on electoral benefits and issue salience.
* Authenticity calculations vary significantly across different political systems and cultural contexts.
* Voters often demonstrate sophisticated understanding of authenticity performances, adjusting trust accordingly.
Why It Matters:
These insights challenge conventional understandings of candidate representation, revealing a complex interplay between genuine self-expression and calculated electoral strategy. The findings offer crucial guidance for evaluating democratic accountability mechanisms where perceived authenticity serves as an important signaling device.
| Candidate Authenticity: 'to Thine Own Self Be True' was authored by Dieter Stiers, Jac Larner, John Kenny, Sofia Breitenstein, Florence Vallée-Dubois and Michael Lewis-Beck. It was published by Springer in Pol. Behav. in 2021. |
