[ecrea] New book: HOW VOTERS FEEL

New book, HOW VOTERS FEEL, published by Cambridge University Press.

ABOUT THE BOOK:
This book sets out to unearth the hidden genealogies of democracy, and particularly its most widely recognized, commonly discussed and deeply symbolic act, voting. By exploring the gaps between voting and recognition, being counted and feeling counted, having a vote and having a voice and the languor of count taking and the animation of account giving, there emerges a unique insight into how it feels to be a democratic citizen. Based on a series of interviews with a variety of voters and nonvoters, the research attempts to understand what people think they are doing when they vote; how they feel before, during and after the act of voting; how performances of voting are framed by memories, narratives and dreams; and what it means to think of oneself as a person who does (or does not) vote. Rich in theory, this is a contribution to election studies that takes culture seriously.

COMMENTS ON THE BOOK:

“In this groundbreaking analysis of the emotional and affective experiences of voting, Stephen Coleman makes visible a whole dimension of democracy and citizenship that hitherto has been lingering in the shadows. His rich analysis of the complicated tensions between citizens and their elected officials challenges conventional wisdom within both academia and the political realm. Coleman’s scholarship is outstanding, his style engaging and accessible.” – Peter Dahlgren, Professor of Media and Communication Studies, Lund University

“In this eloquent, original, and deeply thoughtful book, Stephen Coleman breaks open the black box of the voting process to uncover a paradoxical aspect of democratic experience that nonetheless remains at the heart of democracy’s transformative potential. Drawing on a wide range of literatures and Coleman’s own striking empirical data, this is a provocative and important book.” – Nick Couldry, Professor of Media and Communications, Goldsmiths, University of London

“Voting is laden with meaning and emotion, Coleman shows, or at least it should be. Building an empirical-cum-theoretical argument for voting as ‘social performance,’ Coleman lays down a forceful, deeply innovative challenge to conventional wisdom in contemporary political studies.” – Jeffrey C. Alexander, Lillian Chavenson Saden Professor of Sociology, Yale University

Regards,
Stephen Coleman
Professor of Political Communication
Institute of Communications Studies
University of Leeds


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