Malcolm Rivera
Political campaigns are becoming increasingly negative and nasty, with candidates resorting to personal attacks, conspiracy theories, and dirty tactics to gain an edge over their opponents. This trend is not limited to a specific country or region, with examples from the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. The rise of social media and online platforms has also contributed to the increasing vitriol, providing a space for anonymous threats and harassment. This negative campaigning has significant consequences, impacting voter confidence in democracy and potentially escalating into physical violence and riots.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Use of negative words | Anger, fear, sadness, and disgust |
| Political polarization | Riots, negative opinions of the other party, and lack of trust in the democratic process |
| Conspiracy theories | Secret plans to bring Canada under Islamic law, anti-vaccination beliefs |
| Security concerns | Physical assaults, death threats, and increased need for security |
| Personal attacks | Sexism, misogyny, and harassment |
| Financial constraints | Cheaper and dirtier tactics, offensive posters |
| Voter dissatisfaction | Low-quality candidates, lack of confidence in American democracy |
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What You'll Learn
Increased political polarisation
Political campaigns are becoming increasingly nasty, and this is hurting democracy. One of the key factors contributing to this nastiness is increased political polarisation.
Political polarisation has been on the rise, both in voting behaviour and in the negative opinions that voters have of the other party. This is evident in the growing number of people who express unfavourable views of both political parties and feel underwhelmed and dissatisfied by the available candidates. This dissatisfaction with the political process and candidates is not new, as Americans have long been critical of politicians and sceptical of the federal government. However, today's negative views are more intense and widespread, with a focus on the dominance of special interests, the influence of campaign cash, and partisan warfare.
The impact of political polarisation is felt at the national level, with riots and violence following elections, such as the 2016 election of Donald Trump and the 2020 insurrection at the Capitol. These events reflect a lack of trust in the democratic process and the opposing political party. Political campaigns are contributing to this polarisation by using increasingly negative language and focusing on national politics rather than state issues. For example, in attack ads from 2018, the Democratic candidate mentioned Donald Trump 28 times, while the Republican candidate in 2010 did not mention Barack Obama at all.
The language used in political campaigns is becoming more negative and nasty, with words evoking emotions like anger, fear, sadness, and disgust. Strongly negative words, such as "hell," "damn," and "fucking," have been introduced, and mildly negative words have also increased significantly. This shift towards more negative language contributes to the perception of politics as nasty and divisive.
The rise of conspiracy theories and targeted harassment of politicians, such as Conservative MP Michelle Rempel Garner in Canada, further demonstrates the impact of polarisation on the tone and tactics of political campaigns. Rempel Garner, who has been a vocal supporter of LGBTQ2+ causes, has faced misogynistic attacks and threats of sexual violence. The increasing polarisation and nastiness in political campaigns have led to concerns about the potential escalation from wars of words to physical violence.
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Conspiracy theories
A notable example of a conspiracy theory with political implications is "birtherism", which questioned former President Barack Obama's place of birth and, by extension, his eligibility to be president. Despite evidence to the contrary, including Obama's release of his long-form birth certificate, the conspiracy theory persisted, fuelled by conservative political activists and pundits. This is just one illustration of how conspiracy theories can be utilised to attack political opponents and shape election narratives.
While conspiracy theories have always existed, the interconnected nature of the modern world has made it easier for false information to spread rapidly, influencing public opinion and shaping political campaigns.
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Security risks
Political campaigns face a variety of security risks that can compromise the safety of candidates, staff, and data. With the increasing use of digital technologies, campaigns are vulnerable to cyberattacks and data breaches. Malicious actors, including nation-state actors and hackers, seek to exploit network vulnerabilities and create backdoors to access sensitive data. This can include voter databases, donor information, and financial records, which can be used to disrupt and derail campaigns or influence election outcomes.
To mitigate these risks, campaigns must implement strong infrastructure security measures. This includes setting up secure networks with passwords and two-factor authentication, encryption techniques, firewalls, and regular patching to shore up vulnerabilities. Additionally, campaigns should educate their staff about potential cyber threats, such as phishing and malware, and provide training to spot suspicious activities.
Another security risk faced by political campaigns is physical harm to candidates and staff. Public appearances and speaking events can attract passionate supporters but also individuals who disagree with the campaign's views. Protests, demonstrations, and even physical threats of violence are common occurrences that can disrupt campaigns and pose risks to the safety of those involved. As such, ongoing security measures, such as protective drivers, access control, and executive protection agents, are crucial to ensuring the safety of political leaders and their teams.
Furthermore, cyber espionage and disinformation campaigns pose significant challenges to the integrity of elections. Spies and adversaries can gain access to sensitive information, private communications, and campaign strategies, which can be used to spread misinformation or sabotage critical infrastructure. Campaigns must be vigilant in monitoring social media and news outlets for signs of disinformation campaigns and be prepared to respond swiftly. Regular "after-action reviews" with intelligence agencies can also help identify and understand the tactics employed by malicious actors.
The security risks faced by political campaigns are diverse and constantly evolving. It is crucial for campaigns to stay vigilant and proactive in addressing these risks to protect their data, systems, and personnel, and to ensure the integrity of the electoral process.
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Negative language in attack ads
The increasing negativity in political campaigns has been influenced by a variety of factors, including the rise of social media and the 24-hour news cycle, which can amplify and spread negative messages quickly and widely. Additionally, the polarization of politics, driven by factors such as partisan media and gerrymandering, has contributed to the prevalence of negative language in attack ads. Candidates may resort to negative campaigning to appeal to their base and differentiate themselves from opponents, often by stoking fear or anger towards the other side.
Furthermore, restrictions on campaign expenditures can also play a role in encouraging negative campaigning. Limited financial resources may lead campaigns to opt for cheaper, more sensationalist tactics, including negative attack ads, to gain media attention and engage voters. This was observed in the UK ahead of a general election, where Labour's controversial "anti-Semitic" posters were attributed to Alastair Campbell, a communications strategist known for negative campaigning.
The consequences of negative language in attack ads extend beyond the political sphere. It contributes to a decline in public trust and satisfaction with the political process and elected officials. Negative campaigning can also distract from substantive policy discussions, as candidates focus on disparaging their opponents rather than presenting their own ideas and solutions. This can lead to a lack of confidence in democracy and a perception that the political system is dominated by partisan warfare and special interests.
To address the increasing negativity in political campaigns, various reforms have been proposed, such as implementing rank-choice voting in state elections. This reform could incentivize more civil campaigns, as candidates would not want to alienate voters who may select them as a second or third choice. Additionally, addressing the influence of money in politics, such as through limits on campaign expenditures or public financing of elections, could help reduce the impact of negative attack ads and encourage more substantive discussions.
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Financial interests of members of Congress
Political campaigns are seemingly getting nastier, with politicians bearing the brunt of it. For instance, during the 2021 federal election campaign in Canada, Conservative MP Michelle Rempel Garner was harassed by a man who approached her table at a restaurant in Calgary. Garner has been a magnet for conspiracists and misogynist attacks, owing to her vocal support for LGBTQ2+ causes. This incident is not isolated, as numerous lawmakers and staffers in Canada have complained about the frequency of security incidents, such as physical assaults and death threats.
Now, turning to the financial interests of members of Congress, it is important to note that they must navigate a delicate balance between financial and constituency interests. Members of Congress are accountable to their constituents, the people they represent in their districts. They are expected to address local needs and concerns, which can sometimes conflict with broader national policy priorities and the preferences of their political party.
On the other hand, members of Congress may also be influenced by financial interests from lobbyists, special interest groups, and donors who seek to promote specific legislation that benefits them. This can create a complex dilemma, as legislators might feel pressured to vote in favor of policies that align with these financial backers, even if they may not necessarily serve the best interests of their constituents. For example, a congressperson might receive campaign donations from a healthcare lobby advocating for a specific policy while facing demands from local constituents for a different approach.
The financial interests of members of Congress can also be reflected in their personal finances and net worth. While the salary of a typical member of Congress is $174,000, some lawmakers carry significant personal and/or business debt, and many leave office wealthier than when they entered. The collective net worth of Congress varies, with the top ten richest members accounting for almost half of its total net worth. In 2018, half of the Senate was worth more than $1,696,020 million, while half of the House members were worth less than $489,514.
Furthermore, members of Congress must also balance financial interests from industries and organizations that donate to their campaigns. These can include attorneys general, public utility commissioners, and state or federal candidates. Additionally, influential organizations spend billions of dollars to lobby Congress, and "dark money" groups spend millions on elections without revealing their sources. This further complicates the financial landscape that members of Congress must navigate.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, political campaigns are getting nastier. Candidates are using increasingly negative language and focusing on national politics rather than state issues. Attack ads from the 2018 campaigns for Illinois Governor, for example, used words with negative connotations more often than in 2010.
Nastier political campaigns can have negative effects on democracy, leading to a lack of trust in the democratic process and increased political polarization. Voter confidence may also be impacted, with people feeling that their interests are not being represented by either party.
There are several reasons why political campaigns may be getting nastier. One factor could be the influence of social media and the ease with which people can spread conspiracy theories and make threats online. Another reason could be financial restrictions on election marketing, which may lead parties to resort to dirty tactics and negative campaigning.
There are several possible reforms that could help address the issue of nastier political campaigns. One suggestion is to implement rank-choice voting in state elections, which would create an incentive for candidates to be more civil and encourage collaboration and compromise among legislators.
