Cited by 226Electoral Systems and Political ParticipationPolitical Theory and DemocracyPopulism, Right-Wing Movements

Elite rhetoric can undermine democratic norms

Open access
Clayton, Katherine, Davis, Nicholas T., Nyhan, Brendan, Porter, Ethan, Ryan, Timothy J., Wood, Thomas J.·2021·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

Abstract

Democratic stability depends on citizens on the losing side accepting election outcomes. Can rhetoric by political leaders undermine this norm? Using a panel survey experiment, we evaluate the effects of exposure to multiple statements from former president Donald Trump attacking the legitimacy of the 2020 US presidential election. Although exposure to these statements does not measurably affect general support for political violence or belief in democracy, it erodes trust and confidence in elections and increases belief that the election is rigged among people who approve of Trump's job performance. These results suggest that rhetoric from political elites can undermine respect for critical democratic norms among their supporters.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1073/pnas.2024125118

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38 of 38 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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  • Repeated exposure to President Trump's claims of electoral fraud in 2020 led Trump supporters to lose trust and confidence in elections.

    “repeated exposure to President Trump's claims of electoral fraud in 2020 led Trump supporters to lose trust and confidence in elections (Clayton et al., 2021)”

    From How to study democratic backsliding (2024) · cites this paper as Clayton et al., 2021

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Authors
Clayton, K., Davis, N. T., Nyhan, B., Porter, E., Ryan, T. J., & Wood, T. J.
Affiliations
  • Stanford University (US)
  • University of Alabama (US)
  • Dartmouth College (US)
  • George Washington University (US)
  • University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (US)
  • The Ohio State University (US)
Corresponding author
Clayton, Katherine
Venue
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
Published
2021-06-02
Volume
118
Issue
23
ISSN
  • 0027-8424 (ISSN-L)
  • 1091-6490
OpenAlex
W3164851731
Cited by
226
References
38
Citations by year
2026: 33 · 2025: 55 · 2024: 70 · 2023: 35 · 2022: 25 · 2021: 8
FWCI
114.56
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Political Science and International Relations › Electoral Systems and Political Participation
  • Social Sciences › Political Science and International Relations › Political Theory and Democracy
  • Social Sciences › Political Science and International Relations › Populism, Right-Wing Movements
Keywords
elite rhetoric, democratic norms, 2020 US presidential election, Donald Trump, electoral legitimacy, public trust in elections
MeSH terms
Humans, Language, Leadership, Politics, Surveys and Questionnaires, Sociology, United States, Violence

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