Multivocality and robust action dynamics in political discourse

How do politicians gain an upper hand in political discourse? Recent literature on framings discourse have re-directed attention from static models of issue ownership to more interactive strategic framing contests. This article proposes a robust action approach the tactical horizon dynamics, and tests hypotheses about dual repertoires local action: First, we test for presence exploratory action, when positions are altered response by others. Second, show evidence role claim behavior, multivocal dominant position is taken, suppresses participation It multivocality, rather amount speech that has silencing effect. Using case economic policy Hungary 1997, how “GDP growth” silenced opposition right, mostly built stigmatizing frames. Discourse beyond one around growth did not silence alternative framings, but elicited shifts. We coded 8632 utterances over 100 days into two-mode network acts statements used blockmodeling identify took pooled time series dynamics. found both claim, while controlling observed unobserved heterogeneity at actor level. • Political actors follow strategy discourse, switching between exploration exploitation. shift their talk opposing sides. Dominant multivocal, composed multiple Multivocal can significantly reduce actors, thus potent tools keep floor discourse.