This analysis explores the correlation between incorrect factual beliefs about politics and political participation and polarization. Drawing on data from the German social survey (ALLBUS), we perform a cross-sectional analysis at individual level for the 2008, when fake news was not widespread yet. Results show that having incorrect knowledge of the state of the world positively correlates with low political participation and with the intention to vote for right-wing parties. We argue that individuals are not mislead by fake news because they lack of correct factual knowledge, but the consumption of fake news may be rather conditional upon political polarization.
Incorrect factual beliefs and political polarization / Danese, Concetta; Fazio, Andrea. - (2020).
Incorrect factual beliefs and political polarization
Concetta Danese;Andrea Fazio
2020
Abstract
This analysis explores the correlation between incorrect factual beliefs about politics and political participation and polarization. Drawing on data from the German social survey (ALLBUS), we perform a cross-sectional analysis at individual level for the 2008, when fake news was not widespread yet. Results show that having incorrect knowledge of the state of the world positively correlates with low political participation and with the intention to vote for right-wing parties. We argue that individuals are not mislead by fake news because they lack of correct factual knowledge, but the consumption of fake news may be rather conditional upon political polarization.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
