The modern world’s political systems are increasingly divided, partisanship is high and trust in institutions is low. The idea of political debate seems out of step with our modern society, but a new study co-authored by Berkeley Haas Assistant Professor Erica Bailey suggests this perception is not accurate. In fact, the study finds that people frequently engage in political debate. Across three studies, they found that most debates take place not with strangers on social media but with close friends, family members and colleagues, and that they often feel positive after these discussions.
The researchers conducted a survey and experiment involving 56 TV debates from 31 elections in seven countries, giving their results more statistical power than previous studies that only focus on a single election or a few in one country. The survey found that debates improve voters’ knowledge of specific candidates and their policies, with effects lasting for weeks after the election. The experiments, led by a team at the University of Michigan, provided evidence that debates reduce polarisation and increase voters’ awareness of what government spending priorities their candidates favour.
While debates are a key component in democracy, it is important that the organisation staging the debate has a clear policy of inviting the most diverse range of candidates possible to participate. This will ensure that undecided voters can hear a fuller and more complete presentation of each candidate’s platform. To this end, the CPD has developed nonpartisan criteria that it applies in extending debate invitations.