Social Context and Campaign Volatility in New Democracies: Networks and Neighborhoods in Brazil's 2002 Elections

摘要: In new democracies party systems are often young, so partisan cues and roots in the electorate tend to be weak. The results, many instances, include volatile campaigns with comparatively high degrees of short-term preference change among voters. We explore mechanisms voter volatility and, more broadly, ways which citizens learn about issues candidates weak-party systems. claim that such settings rely heavily upon persuasive information gathered from their immediate social contexts. Utilizing a unique panel survey implemented during Brazil’s historic 2002 presidential election, we demonstrate importance political discussion within networks neighborhood context for explaining election campaigns. also concrete consequences by showing how candidate momentum runs can driven waves discussion.