Željko Poljak (University of Antwerp) uses data from Belgium, Croatia, and the UK to explore negative interactions between legislators.
Please join us for a research talk with Željko Poljak (University of Antwerp). In this project, Poljak addresses the notable rise in citizens' dissatisfaction with politics. Negativity between political actors, which has been shown to lower political trust, increase polarisation, demobilise electoral turnout, etc. However, less is known about their effects outside of campaigns. Poljak argues that political actors, driven by their political goals, employ negativity not only during campaigns but also outside of it. However, mechanisms that lead to negativity outside of campaigns, when parties and politicians need to deal with day-to-day issues, are vastly different from the ones in campaigns. This causes distinct patterns of negative interactions to emerge.
Drawing upon a theoretical framework that allows us to understand negativity from the longitudinal perspective outside of campaigns and in day-to-day politics, the presentation will feature negativity during question time sessions in the parliaments of Belgium, Croatia, and the UK (2010 to 2020).
Željko Poljak is a PhD researcher and a member of the M²P (Media, Movements & Politics) research group at the Department of Political Science at the University of Antwerp. His current research deals with negative communication between political actors both outside of and during election campaigns.
Speaker: Željko Poljak (University of Antwerp)
Chair and Convener: William Daniel (University of Nottingham)
All welcome, please register your attendance. This seminar will be held as a hybrid. Please indicate in your registration whether you wish to take part via our online platform or in person. Additional information will be sent to registrants before the event.