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10/24/2008: "In times of crisis the public turns to well established extremists"
Trying to appear moderate is not always the best strategy for capturing votes during an election, reveals a new study. Extreme positions can build trust among an electorate, who value ideological commitment in times of uncertainty.
"A rational electorate is reluctant to support someone who does not exhibit commitment to some ideology," Carrillo says. "Voters rightly perceive that someone without ideological commitment cannot have developed a valuable political program. They reason that, 'If you tell me what I want to hear, it probably means that you don't have any ideas of your own to share.'"
The researchers point to several real-life examples, including the 1995 Belgian election. According to the authors, the VLD - a traditionally right-wing party - sought the opinion of voters on a number of key issues and pledged to follow popular will if elected. The experiment failed. Four years later, the VLD returned to a rightist platform, and their candidate was elected prime minister.
[ A well established party with strong consistent policies may be shunned and criticised while people are happy with their beer and circuses, but when there is a crisis and they need strong leaders to get them out of a mess they look to those with authority and determination. The present financial crisis is therefore a good thing for the "extreme right" ]
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080808105004.htm