POLITICAL DEMAND FORMATION: PROCESS SPECIFICS AND INTEGRAL COMPONENTS
Abstract
The article examines the process of shaping political demand, which emerges through the complex interplay of social, psychological, and political factors. Three key components influencing political demand are identified: identity, emotions, and efficacy. These components are highlighted as crucial elements that shape citizens' political behavior in contemporary society. The importance of identity in shaping political demand is emphasized, as it sets the boundaries for making political decisions and creates the conditions for political action. The concept of multiple identities is also explored, with a focus on their impact on political activity and potential societal polarization. The article reflects on the role of politicized identity in mobilizing citizens, but also points out the potential risks associated with polarization, which can lead to the radicalization of political participation. The emotional component of political demand is presented as a factor influencing citizens' motivation to engage in political processes. Three main emotions— anger, fear, and indignation—are categorized and described, showing how they determine citizens' political behavior. It is demonstrated that anger stimulates political activity, while fear may suppress it, and indignation often acts as a fundamental emotion that predicts political action. Moreover, it is shown that the component of efficacy determines citizens' ability to achieve their political goals using available resources and social networks. The relationship between efficacy and citizens' emotional state is reinterpreted, indicating that low efficacy can trigger fear and avoidance of political participation, while high efficacy enhances anger and stimulates action. Thus, the article systematizes the structural components of political demand and reveals their functional roles. As a result of this scholarly inquiry, an integrated explanatory model of political demand formation is presented.
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