10.2 Horse-race journalism and its effects
4 min read•july 31, 2024
dominates election coverage, focusing on who's winning rather than policy. It treats campaigns like races, emphasizing polls and tactics over issues. This approach can increase voter interest but may leave them less informed about candidates' actual platforms.
The prevalence of horse-race journalism has significant consequences for and voter behavior. It can lead to of complex issues, encourage , and shape perceptions of . This style of coverage may also contribute to and disengagement.
Horse-race Journalism in Elections
Definition and Prevalence
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The Impact of the Media – American Government (2e) View original
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The consequences of 'horse race' reporting: What the research says View original
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- Horse-race journalism focuses on who is winning or losing in electoral contests, emphasizing polling data, fundraising numbers, and campaign strategies
- Treats political campaigns as competitive races, prioritizing "horse race" aspects over policy discussions or candidate qualifications
- Increasingly prevalent in modern media, dominating coverage in both traditional and digital news outlets
- Rise of 24-hour news cycles and proliferation of online media platforms contribute to increased use
- Key elements include frequent reporting of poll results, analysis of campaign tactics, and speculation about candidates' chances of winning
- Critics argue it oversimplifies complex political issues and leads to superficial understanding of electoral processes
- Defenders contend it provides valuable information about state of political races and increases public interest in elections
Characteristics and Implications
- Emphasizes competition and strategy in political coverage
- May increase voter interest by presenting politics as an exciting contest
- Can lead to reduction in coverage of policy proposals and substantive political issues
- Potentially leaves voters less informed about candidates' actual platforms
- Contributes to , shifting attention from issues to candidates' personalities
- Creates sense of through constant reporting of poll fluctuations
- May increase voter anxiety and cynicism about electoral process
- Encourages politicians to prioritize short-term strategies over long-term policy development
Consequences of Focusing on Tactics
Impact on Political Discourse
- Contributes to erosion of substantive political discourse and debate in public sphere
- Shifts attention from policy discussions to campaign strategies and polling data
- Encourages politicians to engage in attention-grabbing behavior rather than focusing on governance (inflammatory tweets, controversial statements)
- Creates incentives for candidates to prioritize media appearances over policy development
- May lead to oversimplification of complex issues to fit narrative of competitive race (reducing healthcare reform to "who has the better plan")
Effects on Voter Behavior
- Overemphasis on polling data can create
- Voters influenced to support perceived frontrunners rather than aligning with policy beliefs
- Contributes to based on perceived chances of winning
- May discourage participation among supporters of candidates perceived as unlikely to win
- Can lead to to prevent least preferred candidate from winning (voting for second choice to block main opponent)
- Potentially increases and disengagement when coverage becomes repetitive
- Influence varies based on individual levels and exposure to diverse news sources
Influence on Voter Perceptions
Shaping Candidate Viability
- Shapes voter perceptions of candidates' viability based on poll numbers and media narratives
- Influences support for or abandonment of candidates based on perceived chances of winning
- Can create where coverage of perceived momentum influences actual voter behavior
- May lead to premature dismissal of candidates with lower poll numbers despite strong policy positions
- Affects fundraising abilities of candidates, potentially creating cycle of diminishing returns for those portrayed as less viable
Impact on Political Understanding
- Can lead to more cynical view of politics among voters, framing elections as games to be won
- May contribute to voter confusion about actual policy positions due to focus on strategic maneuvering
- Potentially reduces complex political landscapes to simplified narratives of winners and losers
- Can create disconnect between media portrayal of race and voters' lived experiences (focus on national polls vs. local issues)
- May influence voters' perceptions of which issues are most important based on media coverage priorities
Political Spectacle vs Democracy
Trivialization of Important Issues
- Emphasis on can trivialize important policy debates
- Reduces complex issues to simplified narratives or soundbites (healthcare reform reduced to "Medicare for All" vs. "Private Insurance")
- Diverts public attention from critical issues facing society (climate change, income inequality)
- Creates disconnect between issues receiving most coverage and those with most significant impact on citizens' lives
- May lead to neglect of local or state-level political issues in favor of national spectacle
Impact on Democratic Processes
- Contributes to increased by emphasizing divisions rather than common ground
- Reinforces zero-sum view of democracy instead of promoting collaborative problem-solving
- Can undermine by prioritizing drama over substance
- Potentially contributes to rise of who excel at generating media attention
- May erode public trust in democratic institutions by portraying politics as primarily about winning rather than governing
- Can lead to voter disillusionment and decreased participation in democratic processes (lower turnout in local elections, reduced )
Key Terms to Review (20)
Bandwagon effect: The bandwagon effect is a psychological phenomenon where individuals adopt certain behaviors, follow trends, or purchase items primarily because others are doing so, rather than based on their own independent analysis. This effect can significantly sway public opinion and voting behavior, as people may support a candidate or policy simply because it seems popular, rather than evaluating its merits. The bandwagon effect plays a crucial role in shaping political landscapes and influences how media presents information, often prioritizing popularity over substance.
Candidate viability: Candidate viability refers to the perceived ability of a political candidate to successfully win an election based on various factors such as their funding, popularity, and organizational support. This concept often influences media coverage and voter perceptions, leading to a focus on which candidates are considered 'winnable' in the eyes of both the public and political strategists.
Civic engagement: Civic engagement refers to the participation of individuals in the political and community life, aimed at addressing issues of public concern and enhancing the quality of democracy. It encompasses a wide range of activities, from voting and volunteering to advocating for social change, all of which contribute to shaping public policies and fostering community solidarity. Civic engagement also emphasizes the importance of informed citizenry and collaboration in addressing societal challenges.
Horse-race journalism: Horse-race journalism refers to a media coverage style that focuses on the competitive aspects of elections, portraying them as races between candidates rather than discussing their policies or positions. This approach emphasizes who is winning or losing rather than the substantive issues at stake, often leading to superficial narratives that prioritize excitement over in-depth analysis.
Informed democratic decision-making: Informed democratic decision-making refers to the process by which citizens engage in politics with a solid understanding of issues, candidates, and policies, enabling them to make educated choices at the ballot box. This concept emphasizes the importance of access to accurate information, media literacy, and critical thinking in shaping public opinion and influencing electoral outcomes. The quality of democracy is closely linked to the level of citizen awareness and engagement, which is often affected by how information is presented in the media.
Media literacy: Media literacy is the ability to access, analyze, evaluate, and create media in various forms. It empowers individuals to understand and critically engage with media content, helping them discern bias, recognize persuasive techniques, and make informed decisions about the media they consume and produce.
Personalization of politics: Personalization of politics refers to the trend where political figures, rather than policies or party platforms, dominate public attention and media coverage. This phenomenon shifts focus from collective political agendas to individual personalities, often making leaders the primary subjects of political discourse. As a result, the public's perception of political events is heavily influenced by personal attributes, charisma, and individual narratives of political actors.
Polarization: Polarization refers to the growing divide in attitudes, beliefs, and values among individuals or groups, particularly in the context of political ideologies. It manifests when people increasingly align themselves with extreme positions, leading to a lack of common ground and greater conflict between opposing sides. This phenomenon can be amplified by various factors, such as selective exposure to media, confirmation bias, and the rise of partisan communication platforms.
Political discourse: Political discourse refers to the ways in which language, symbols, and communication are used to discuss and debate political issues, policies, and ideologies. It shapes public opinion and influences political behavior by framing narratives and shaping perceptions around key issues. Understanding political discourse is essential for analyzing how media portrayals, including horse-race journalism, impact the public's understanding of elections and political processes.
Political spectacle: Political spectacle refers to the use of dramatic events, visual imagery, and media coverage to shape public perception and engagement with politics. It often emphasizes appearances over substantive issues, creating a theater-like atmosphere around political events, campaigns, or debates. This concept highlights how the performance of politics can overshadow critical discussions about policies or governance.
Populist politicians: Populist politicians are political leaders who claim to represent the common people against a perceived corrupt elite, often using emotional rhetoric and simplified messages to galvanize support. They typically challenge established political norms and institutions, positioning themselves as champions of the ordinary citizen, which can significantly influence political dynamics and media coverage.
Self-fulfilling prophecy: A self-fulfilling prophecy occurs when a belief or expectation about a person or event leads to behaviors that ultimately cause the belief to come true. This phenomenon highlights the impact that media narratives and public perceptions can have on political outcomes, particularly in the context of competitive political races where coverage influences voter behavior and candidate viability.
Strategic voting: Strategic voting refers to the practice where voters cast their ballots not for their preferred candidate but for a less desired candidate in order to prevent an undesirable outcome. This behavior often occurs in competitive elections where voters may feel that their preferred candidate has little chance of winning, leading them to support a more viable option. It plays a significant role in shaping electoral outcomes and can impact how candidates campaign and how media portray elections.
Superficial understanding: Superficial understanding refers to a shallow or surface-level grasp of a subject, where one may be aware of basic facts or concepts but lacks deeper insight or critical analysis. This type of understanding can lead to misconceptions and an inability to engage with more complex ideas, which is particularly evident in the realm of media coverage and political analysis.
Tactical approach to voting: A tactical approach to voting involves strategically choosing a candidate or party not solely based on personal preferences but rather to maximize the chances of a preferred outcome, often in a competitive electoral environment. This approach reflects the influence of horse-race journalism, which emphasizes the competitive aspects of elections, focusing on who is leading or falling behind rather than on policy issues. As a result, voters may feel compelled to support candidates they perceive as having a better chance of winning, potentially impacting voter turnout and altering electoral dynamics.
Tactical voting: Tactical voting refers to the strategic decision made by voters to support a candidate they perceive as having a better chance of winning, rather than their preferred candidate. This phenomenon often arises in systems where multiple candidates compete, and voters may feel that their true preferences could lead to a less desirable outcome. As a result, tactical voting influences election outcomes, shaping party dynamics and voter behavior.
Trivialization of important issues: Trivialization of important issues refers to the tendency of media, particularly in the context of political reporting, to present serious topics in a superficial or sensationalized manner, reducing their significance. This phenomenon often results in voters being misinformed or distracted from crucial policy discussions, as the focus shifts toward entertainment or spectacle rather than substantive content.
Volatility in political races: Volatility in political races refers to the degree of unpredictability and change in voter behavior and electoral outcomes, often influenced by shifting public opinion, campaign dynamics, and external events. This concept highlights how candidates can experience rapid changes in their support levels, making elections more uncertain and competitive. High volatility can lead to surprises during elections, where expected outcomes may shift dramatically, resulting in unexpected winners or losers.
Voter cynicism: Voter cynicism refers to a feeling of distrust or skepticism that individuals may have towards the political system, candidates, and the electoral process itself. This sentiment can lead to disengagement from politics, lower voter turnout, and a belief that political participation is futile. When voters feel that their voices do not matter or that politicians are primarily self-serving, it creates a challenging environment for democratic engagement.
Voter fatigue: Voter fatigue refers to the declining interest and participation in elections as a result of frequent electoral events or a long campaign season. This phenomenon can lead to decreased voter turnout, as individuals may feel overwhelmed or disillusioned by constant political messaging and an unending cycle of elections. It connects closely to how media coverage, particularly horse-race journalism, influences public perception and engagement during election cycles.