Deliberative and non-deliberative persuasion: Mechanisms of opinion formation in EuroPolis. (September 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gerber, Marlène; Bächtiger, André; Fiket, Irena; Steenbergen, Marco; Steiner, Jürg
• Other Names: Isernia Pierangelo guest-editor.; Fishkin James S guest-editor.
• Is Part Of: European Union politics. Volume 15:Number 3(2014:Sep.)
• Page Start: 410
• Page End: 429
• Publication Date: 2014-09
• Subjects: Deliberation -- deliberative polls -- opinion formation -- persuasion; European Union countries -- Politics and government -- Periodicals; 320.9405
• DOI: 10.1177/1465116514528757
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1465-1165

Abstract

From a normative vantage point, post-deliberative opinions should be linked to the quality of arguments presented during discussion. Yet, there is a dearth of research testing this claim. Our study makes a first attempt to overcome this deficiency. By analyzing a European deliberative poll on third country migration, we explore whether statements backed by reason affect opinions, which we term deliberative persuasion. We contrast deliberative persuasion to non-deliberative persuasion, whereby we explore whether the most frequently repeated position influences opinions. We find that with regard to regularization of irregular immigrants, deliberative persuasion took place. In the context of European involvement in immigration affairs, however, opinions are driven by the most frequently repeated position rather than by the quality of argumentation.