Political Plasticity: The Future of Democracy and Dictatorship

Political plasticity refers to the limitations on how fast, how much, and in what ways political behavior changes. Long-term continuity of human behavior in important areas such as leader-follower relations, ethnicity, religion, and the rich-poor divide is little impacted by factors assumed to bring about change. Areas of high political plasticity, such as women in education, are discussed to illustrate how rapid societal change can be achieved. This book explains the psychological and social mechanisms that limit political plasticity and shape the possibility of changes in both democratic and dictatorial countries.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 192 pages
Publication date: 05 January 2023
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Political plasticity encompasses the constraints on the speed, magnitude, and modalities of political behavior's transformation. Across numerous significant domains of conduct, including leader-follower dynamics, ethnicity, religion, and the wealth gap, enduring patterns of human behavior have persisted over extended periods. These continuities remain largely unaffected by factors commonly believed to trigger change, such as electronic technologies, major wars, globalization, and revolutions. Furthermore, this book delves into areas of high political plasticity, exemplified by the discussion of women's education, to illustrate the potential for rapid societal transformation. By elucidating the psychological and social mechanisms that hinder political plasticity and shape the possibilities of change in both democratic and authoritarian contexts, this volume serves as a valuable resource for students, educators, and individuals with an interest in political behavior and social psychology.

Weight: 336g
Dimension: 229 x 152 x 12 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781009277167