Catastrophic Politics
：How Extraordinary Events Redefine Perceptions of Government
Publication subTitle ：How Extraordinary Events Redefine Perceptions of Government
Author： Lonna Rae Atkeson;Cherie D. Maestas;
Publisher： Cambridge University Press
Publication year： 2012
E-ISBN: 9781316967263
P-ISBN(Paperback): 9781107021129
P-ISBN(Hardback): 9781107021129
Subject： D Political and Legal
Keyword： 政治、法律
Language： ENG
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Description
Demonstrates how media information interacts with emotion in shaping a wide range of political opinions about government and political leaders. Strong emotions felt by the public during catastrophes - even if experienced only vicariously through media coverage - are a powerful motivator of public opinion and activism. By examining public opinion during one extraordinary event, the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Atkeson and Maestas show how media information interacts with emotion in shaping a wide range of political opinions about government and political leaders. Strong emotions felt by the public during catastrophes - even if experienced only vicariously through media coverage - are a powerful motivator of public opinion and activism. By examining public opinion during one extraordinary event, the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Atkeson and Maestas show how media information interacts with emotion in shaping a wide range of political opinions about government and political leaders. Shocking moments in society create an extraordinary political environment that permits political and opinion changes that are unlikely during times of normal politics. Strong emotions felt by the public during catastrophes - even if experienced only vicariously through media coverage - are a powerful motivator of public opinion and activism. This is particularly true when emotional reactions coincide with attributing blame to governmental agencies or officials. By examining public opinion during one extraordinary event, the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Lonna Rae Atkeson and Cherie D. Maestas show how media information interacts with emotion in shaping a wide range of political opinions about government and political leaders. Catastrophic events bring citizens together, provide common experiences and information, and create opinions that transcend traditional political boundaries. These moments encourage citizens to re-examine their understanding of government, its leaders and its role in a society from a less partisan perspective. 1. Extraordinary events and public opinion; 2. A theoretical framework for systematically examining extraordinary events; 3. The media message environment and the emotional context of Hurricane Katrina; 4. Affective attributions: assigning blame during extraordinary times; 5. Federalism in a multiple message environment: are the appropriate leaders held accountable?; 6. Attributions of blame, political efficiency, and confidence in government; 7. Attributions, emotions, and policy consequences; 8. Extraordinary events and public opinion: some broader perspectives. 'Hurricane Katrina shocked the world. Atkeson and Maestas study how Hurricane Katrina changed American politics, and develop a framework that scholars will use to understand the political consequences of future extraordinary events. This is a fantastic book!' R. Michael Alvarez, California Institute of Technology 'As politicians know, not all politics is routine, yet most studies of public opinion fail to recognize this simple fact. Atkeson and Maestas provide a compelling argument and persuasive evidence about how extraordinary events are unique in their consequences for individuals' civic and partisan attitudes. At a time when laboratory and field experiments have gained such currency in the discipline, it is refreshing to see survey data used so creatively to advance our understanding of contemporary politics and public opinion.' Jan E. Leighley, American Universi
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