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A Partisan Climate of Opinion: Why Social Media is a Key Indicator for Right-Wing Supporters in Germany

Author

Listed:
  • Weinmann, Carina

    (Department of Social Sciences, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf)

  • Jandura, Olaf

    (Faculty of Business Studies, University of Applied Sciences Düsseldorf)

  • Petersen, Thomas

    (The Institut für Demoskopie Allensbach)

Abstract

Today, citizens’ media repertoires have become more individualized than ever. Research suggests that this has changed how people gauge the climate of opinion: While some, as suggested by the spiral of silence theory, still rely on the mass media, for others, social media are the key indicator. There are first hints that political affiliation is decisive in this matter. Our paper seeks to find evidence for this line of reasoning regarding supporters of two opposing German political parties. Based on a representative survey of German voters, we examined which factors determine the perceived congruence between the majority’s and people’s own opinion. Our analyses show that for supporters of the right-wing political party, one central factor is discussing politics via social networking sites. Our findings add to the knowledge on how the processes suggested by the spiral of silence theory are shaped by today’s media landscape and the current political situation.

Suggested Citation

  • Weinmann, Carina & Jandura, Olaf & Petersen, Thomas, "undated". "A Partisan Climate of Opinion: Why Social Media is a Key Indicator for Right-Wing Supporters in Germany," Duesseldorf Working Papers in Applied Management and Economics 63, Duesseldorf University of Applied Sciences.
    • Handle: RePEc:ddf:wpaper:63
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    JEL classification:

    • D72 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Political Processes: Rent-seeking, Lobbying, Elections, Legislatures, and Voting Behavior

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