Asymmetric Communication and Internal Exclusion in Everyday Political Talk

Citizens' everyday political talk is the foundation and mainspring of deliberative democracy. Accordingly, citizens' equal inclusive participation in discussions deemed crucial for this “talk-centric” vision normatively superior democratic will-formation. Yet, discussing politics a quite demanding activity, research has shown that de facto not everyone access to arena communication. Some citizens about public affairs almost constantly, others more sparingly, yet at all. These inequalities reflect imbalances structural psychological resources. Little known, however, what happens once individuals have entered conversations affairs. The article breaks new ground by examining communicative asymmetries ordinary people experience when talking with members their overall core networks. By muting voices they disadvantage certain citizens, thus impairing discursive equality essential Drawing on unique high-quality survey conducted Germany, finds such experiences take different forms which some are widespread. Many resort passive listening contribute little unfolding conversations. Smaller shares misrepresent true standpoints, change subjects avoid problematic topics, drop out unpleasant conversations, or feel silenced other interlocutors. contextualizes these broader theoretical framework democrats' conception inequality. To examine how come it proposes tests model internal exclusion refers social inequality, dispositions, attributes discussant networks within place. Social inequality found be limited relevance. Individuals' efficacy orientations toward conflict important predictors ability cope challenges than aspects general politicization like interest, attitude strength efficacy. Encountering disagreement central democracy, but empirically stands as powerful driver asymmetric Its impact strongly conditioned individuals' dispositions.