Persuasion in politics
By: Kevin Murphy, Andrei Shleifer.
Contributors: Shleifer, Andrei.; National Bureau of Economic Research.
Series: NBER working paper series ;; working paper 10248; Working paper series (National Bureau of Economic Research : Online) ;; working paper no. 10248.
Publisher: National Bureau of Economic Research
Published: 2004
Place of publication: Cambridge, MA
Language: eng
Format: Electronic resource
Subjects: Persuasion (Rhetoric); Public opinion; Social networks
Description: "We present a model of the creation of social networks, such as political parties, trade unions, religious coalitions, or political action committees, through discussion and mutual persuasion among their members.  The key idea is that people are influenced by those inside their network, but not by those outside.  Once created, networks can be rented out' to politicians who seek votes and support for their initiatives and ideas, which may have little to do with network members' core beliefs.  In this framework, political competition does not lead to convergence of party platforms to the views of the median voter.  Rather, parties separate their messages and try to isolate their members to prevent personal influence from those in the opposition"--National Bureau of Economic Research web site.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references.
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Mode of access: World Wide Web.