ABSTRACT
This book offers novel insights into the way in which people talk about politics across various countries. Drawing on focus groups research in nine countries, including ‘mature’ democracies, post-communist ‘new’ democracies and post-authoritarian ‘new’ democracies, it offers comparative reflection on how talk about political activity is shaped by peoples’ perceptions of specific opportunities to participate, the issues that concern them and the broader political environment. It thus examines citizens’ views of major issues and political grievances in their own words and helps to shed new light on reasons for engagement in political acts, whether through electoral or protest channels, or political disengagement.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
chapter 1|19 pages
Anti-politics statements in fast-thinking
What comes to mind first when thinking about politics?
chapter 2|20 pages
Discussing politics in the UK
Non-violence, representativeness, consistency, and fairness as constitutional values
chapter 3|18 pages
Discourse about politics in the Netherlands
Anti-politics and populism, more or less
chapter 6|20 pages
Uprising in the streets and ballots
Polarisation and radicalisation in the Greek crisis
chapter 7|18 pages
Reinvigorating Romania’s civil society
Talking about politics and corruption in Romania
chapter 11|19 pages
Conclusion
How citizens talk about electoral and protest politics, a cross-country comparison
