Political Disagreement: The Survival of Diverse Opinions within Communication Networks [Paperback]

This book demonstrates the ubiquitous nature of political disagreement occurring among ordinary citizens.Political disagreement is frequently widespread within the everyday patterns of political discussion that occur among ordinary citizens. This is fortunate because, absent the experience of disagreement, political communication among citizens loses value and meaning. At the same time, political disagreement and diversity do not always or inevitably survive. And the compelling question thus becomes, what are the circumstances that sustain political diversity, even in politically high stimulus environments when individuals are attentive to politics and the frequency of communication among citizens is correspondingly high?Political disagreement is frequently widespread within the everyday patterns of political discussion that occur among ordinary citizens. This is fortunate because, absent the experience of disagreement, political communication among citizens loses value and meaning. At the same time, political disagreement and diversity do not always or inevitably survive. And the compelling question thus becomes, what are the circumstances that sustain political diversity, even in politically high stimulus environments when individuals are attentive to politics and the frequency of communication among citizens is correspondingly high?Without the experience of disagreement, political communication among citizens loses value and meaning. At the same time, political disagreement and diversity do not always or inevitably survive. This book, accordingly, considers the compelling issue of the circumstances that sustain political diversity, even in politically high stimulus environments where individuals are attentive to politics and the frequency of communication among citizens is correspondingly high.1. Communication, influence, and the capacity of citizens to disagree; 2. New information, old information, and persistent disagreement; 3. Dyads, networks, and autorel£î