The Power of Partisanship in Brazil: Evidence from Survey Experiments

26 Pages Posted: 1 Aug 2011 Last revised: 13 Nov 2018

See all articles by David J. Samuels

David J. Samuels

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities - Department of Political Science

Cesar Zucco

Getulio Vargas Foundation (FGV) - Brazilian School of Public and Business Administration (EBAPE)

Date Written: October 10, 2012

Abstract

To what extent do party labels influence individuals’ policy positions? Much research has examined this question in the US, where party identification can generate both in-group and out-group pressures to conform to a party's position. However, relatively little research has considered the question's comparative generalizability. We explore the impact of party labels on attitudes in Brazil, a relatively new democracy with a fragmented party system. In such an environment, do parties function as in-groups, out-groups --- or neither? We answer this question through two survey experiments, one conducted on a nationally-representative sample and another on a convenience sample recruited via Facebook. We find that both in- and out-group cues shape the opinions of identifiers of Brazil’s two main parties, but that cues have no effect on non-partisans. Results suggest that party identification can structure attitudes and behavior even in ``party-averse'' environments.

Keywords: party identification, Brazil, PT

Suggested Citation

Samuels, David J. and Zucco, Cesar, The Power of Partisanship in Brazil: Evidence from Survey Experiments (October 10, 2012). Working Paper, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1903312

David J. Samuels (Contact Author)

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities - Department of Political Science ( email )

Minneapolis, MN 55455-0410
United States

HOME PAGE: http://www.polisci.umn.edu/~dsamuels/

Cesar Zucco

Getulio Vargas Foundation (FGV) - Brazilian School of Public and Business Administration (EBAPE) ( email )

Praia de Botafogo 190
Rio de Janeiro, RJ
Brazil

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