| Popis: |
This chapter introduces the concept of costly abstention as a driver of mass political participation. The key idea behind costly abstention is the recognition that just as participation in politics is costly, abstention can be costly as well. The costs of abstention are incurred when an individual suffers an intrinsic and psychic tension, or dissonance, upon failing (or anticipating failing) to take part in collective action. It is the interplay between the costs of participation and costs of abstention that determines an individual’s likelihood to participate in collective political action, such as voting and protesting. Costly abstention helps explain real-world patterns in electoral turnout and protest participation that are difficult to make sense of from the perspective of prevailing theoretical approaches. |
