Research team
Expertise
I primarily conduct research on voting behavior, both in general and specifically on voting behavior for radical-right and populist parties, with a focus on Flanders and Belgium. I also have expertise in the cordon sanitaire, cordon médiatique, media coverage of Vlaams Belang, and how traditional parties relate to extremist parties (mainstreaming, imitation of positions). My focus also includes the participation of populist parties in government and its effects on voting behavior (not only in Flanders or Belgium, but also in the Netherlands and in comparative European contexts). I also investigate the effects of campaigns, elections, and the role of voting advice applications on voting behavior and public opinion. Furthermore, I research public opinion on immigration, media coverage of immigration, and diversity in the news, as well as media effects. More generally, I have expertise in political communication, such as the discourse of politicians on social media and its effects on public opinion. I have expertise in media effect theories and the relationship between media and politics, particularly in Flanders. Additionally, I study populism, support for populism, and public opinion on immigration. Finally, I also explore how young people acquire political knowledge, how they inform themselves about politics, and the role of campaigns for first-time voters.
A Paradox of Political Communication in the Digital Age: Implications of (a Lack of) Perceived Authenticity for Democracy.
Abstract
In the project "A Paradox of Political Communication in the Digital Age: Implications of (a Lack of) Perceived Authenticity for Democracy," the growing gap between how political actors (leaders, parties, candidates) present themselves and voters' perceptions is examined. The statement by former Prime Minister Yves Leterme, "Who still believes those people?" illustrates the frustration regarding the decline of political trust and the rise of populism in modern democracies. Despite the increasing commitment of political parties and candidates to direct communication with voters, a growing malaise in democracy is evident, characterized by distrust, declining voter participation, and the flourishing of populist parties. This research focuses on three central questions: (1) How do political actors attempt to construct authenticity in their online communication? (2) How does perceived authenticity affect voter evaluations of parties and candidates, and how does this relate to political outcomes such as trust and support for democracy? (3) In what ways does populism influence the relationship between perceived authenticity and voting behavior? These questions are of great importance for understanding the dynamics of political communication and the role of authenticity in modern politics in a contemporary digital age where social media plays a significant role. By employing a combination of content analysis and survey experiments, this project will investigate the digital communication of Flemish politicians on social media regarding how they attempt to create authenticity (2019-2024) and how this is evaluated by citizens. The results will contribute to a deeper understanding of how the construction of authenticity and the rise of populism influence political attitudes and voting behavior, with implications for citizens' voting behavior and political attitudes toward democracy.In this way, this project addresses one of the key questions of our contemporary political era by shifting its focus to a potential paradox in political communication. Insight into this matter will also provide perspectives on solutions to restore trust in our representative democracy.Researcher(s)
- Promoter: Jacobs Laura
Research team(s)
Project type(s)
- Research Project