Political engagement in “good times” studied in ERC project

“It feels surreal! I am immensely grateful to the ERC. At the same time, I would not have received this grant without the support of my former colleagues at Lund University, my colleagues here in Gothenburg, and the researchers in my network. They have provided insightful comments and valuable advice during the application process. That is why I want to stress how important it is for an academic career that we researchers support each other,” says Florence So, Senior Lecturer in political science.

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Traditionally, political science has focused primarily on the negative effects of economic crises on people’s political engagement – such as increased polarization, distrust, and populism. But scholars know very little about what happens to political engagement when the economy is strong. In her new project, ECONENGAGE, Florence So will therefore turn the perspective around.

“My starting point is that the national economic condition shapes people’s perceived economic situations and the stakes they attach to politics. The resulting attitudinal consequences may lead people to care less about politics or become more selective about which information they take in. It may also lead to lower engagement in democratic processes.”

Strong economy no guarantee for democracy

In the project, Florence So will map how individuals themselves define “economic improvement.” She will analyze whether and how this affects the type of political information they seek, how much they care about general elections, which democratic decision-making rules they prefer, and how they view ideological diversity. The aim is to develop a theory of the relationship between economic prosperity and political engagement.

According to Florence So, it is important to recognize that a strong economy does not automatically benefit democracy. On the contrary, prosperity can pose a risk of political complacency or ideological entrenchment, which may open the door for undemocratic actors.

“If people in “good times” stop questioning information, become less inclined to fact-check, or lose interest in the rules of democracy, this may ultimately undermine democratic stability. I therefore hope that the results of my research will inspire measures to sustain citizens’ interest in politics even during prosperous times.”

Looking forward to working at the University of Gothenburg

Florence So grew up in San Francisco and received her PhD at UCLA. She then worked as a postdoctoral researcher at Aarhus University, and as a Marie Curie Fellow and researcher at Lund University. She began her position as Senior Lecturer at the University of Gothenburg just a few months ago.

“The University of Gothenburg has an excellent academic reputation in the fields that interest me – political institutions, political behavior, and party politics. The work environment is also friendly and collaborative, which are the most important factors for me when choosing my academic home. I am really looking forward to both researching and teaching at the University of Gothenburg,” says Florence So.