Outline Realistic Democratic Theory meets Political Communication

Abstract

Political communication is essential in a democratic polity. Nonetheless, a growing number of theoretical and empirical works are asking for a re-appraisal of democracy in a more realistic direction and challenge core assumptions of what political communication actually is. Proponents of realistic democratic theory have pointed out that the electorate often makes decisions based on flawed assumptions and that voters are unable to comprehend and process much of the political communication the electorate is exposed to.