Citizen Support for Religious Nationalist Rhetoric

• In Event: Identity and Discrimination in South Asian Politics

Abstract

Existing scholarship shows that compared to other parties, right-wing populist parties are more prone to harnessing emotional appeals, assigning blame for longstanding grievances and particular moments of crisis, and normalizing the expression of traditionally extreme political views. This paper investigates the extent to which citizens prefer such tactics and why, with an empirical focus on India. Using a survey experiment, I examine how citizens react to different justifications of discriminatory religious nationalist laws and government actions. By constructing a set of justifications that draw from statements made by mainstream political actors and randomly assigning participants to evaluate these justifications in an experimental setting, I perform a comprehensive analysis of whether and when different rhetorical strategies are endorsed, if they actually persuade citizens, and, if so, the possible mechanisms underlying support.

Author

• Rajeshwari Majumdar, Yale University