Political behavior driven by social media trends and viral content creates a misaligned incentive structure for candidates. Political actors adapt their strategies to appeal to citizens who engage with politics as a hobby, favoring emotionally charged and sensational content over substantive discourse. As a result, those who excel in garnering small dollar donations often possess skills centered around creating viral videos rather than thoughtful political engagement. This trend leads to a skills gap, where hobbyists default to surface-level emotional expression rather than mastering the necessary competencies for effective political participation.
Yascha Mounk and Eitan Hersh discuss the importance of strategic political action that focuses on goals and outcomes.
Eitan Hersh is Professor of Political Science at Tufts University, focusing on U.S. elections and civic participation. His latest book is Politics Is for Power: How to Move Beyond Political Hobbyism, Take Action, and Make Real Change.
In this week’s conversation, Yascha Mounk and Eitan Hersh discuss how to engage with politics in ways likely to bring about meaningful change; how political hobbyism tends to coincide with misperceptions about voter habits and the purposes of political rhetoric; and how to more successfully get students to engage with challenging ideas on campus.
This transcript has been condensed and lightly edited for clarity.
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