Interesting insights in the #VirtualProgress2020 session on framing the role of government - most people believe our democracy isn’t really working & lobbyists hold too much sway, but they are hesitant to actually acknowledge this or respond to overt messaging acknowledging it.
People respond to messaging that emphasis THEIR role in government - for example, phrases like “YOUR elected representatives” rather than “politicians”. #VirtualProgress2020
Hyperbole, generalisations and vilification don’t work. Point to specific actors doing specific things, and be clear and rational about their negative actions and the positive solutions. #VirtualProgress2020
Words like “ban” and “outlaw” turn people off. Outcomes-focused phrases like “this will make our democracy fairer” perform better. #VirtualProgress2020
Voters are already cynical, but cynicism doesn’t inspire action or change. Avoid perpetuating a view of democracy/politics as broken or rigged, and instead engage people to believe THEY are the body politic and they can make a difference #VirtualProgress2020
Don’t vilify an entire political party such as the LNP, as this alienates a whole lot of people and plays into the frame of politics as a partisan battle. #VirtualProgress2020
Talk about what we DO want, not what we don’t. We are here to create something good, not just ameliorate something bad. (Credit to @AustraliareMADE) #VirtualProgress2020
When we say “government can/should do x”, it prompts voters to believe in & conceptualise a better solution - rather than saying “government has failed to do y” which triggers the cynical voter mindset, which is inactive and resigned to the current reality #VirtualProgress2020
Don’t frame COVID as a fight or a battle to be won (battles imply opposing parties, tribalism, winners & losers) - rather it is something for us to navigate & work our way through together #VirtualProgress2020
@threadreaderapp Unroll please
