Interpersonal political communication in election campaigns in a comparative perspective

Abstract

This chapter investigates differences in the nature and relevance of interpersonal political communication for individual participation in elections that differ in their political saliency. The analysis uses survey data collected in Germany in national and European Parliamentary (EP) election campaigns to examine these differences. Results bring support to the thesis that first- and second-order election campaigns differ in the level of political engagement that they entail. Citizens engage more often in political conversations at the time of national compared to EP election campaigns. More frequent engagement in political conversations and the presence of a partner of political discussion who intends to vote and whose vote choice is known are positive correlates of one’s decision to cast a vote in national but not EP elections.