Voicing Politics: How Language Shapes Public Opinion

The linguistic peculiarities of different languages can influence political attitudes and beliefs, as demonstrated by Efrén Pérez and Margit Tavits in their book "Voicing Politics." They show how language shapes mass opinion on issues such as gender equality, LGBTQ rights, environmental conservation, and candidate evaluations through experiments and survey data. This book calls on scholars to take linguistic nuances more seriously and suggests new directions for research in political behavior and other fields.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 232 pages
Publication date: 25 October 2022
Publisher: Princeton University Press

Voicing Politics is a groundbreaking book that delves into the fascinating relationship between language and political beliefs. Written by Efrén Pérez and Margit Tavits, this book combines the latest findings from psychology and political science to shed light on how the linguistic peculiarities of different languages can shape political attitudes and beliefs worldwide. The authors argue that different languages can make mental content more or less accessible, thereby influencing political opinions and preferences in predictable directions. To test this hypothesis, the authors conduct rigorous experiments and analyze rich cross-national survey data, demonstrating how language shapes mass opinion on various issues such as gender equality, LGBTQ rights, environmental conservation, ethnic relations, and candidate evaluations.

Through their research, the authors identify how these patterns emerge in polities across the globe, providing valuable insights into how simple linguistic quirks can affect our political views. Voicing Politics calls on scholars of political behavior to take linguistic nuances more seriously and offers new directions for researchers across diverse fields. By understanding the effects of language on political cognition, the book aims to help us better understand how people form political attitudes and why political outcomes vary across nations and regions.

In conclusion, Voicing Politics is a must-read for anyone interested in the intersection of language and politics. This groundbreaking book provides valuable insights into how the linguistic choices we make can shape our political beliefs and attitudes, and offers practical strategies for promoting greater linguistic diversity and inclusivity in our societies. By understanding the power of language, we can work towards creating a more informed and inclusive political landscape that reflects the diverse perspectives and experiences of all individuals.

Weight: 386g
Dimension: 155 x 235 x 17 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780691215136