An Examination Of Uncivil And Reasoned Comments And Perceived Civility In Politics

This study investigates how exposure to uncivil and reasoned online political comments is related to off-line and online political participation. Data from two online surveys reveal that exposure to uncivil online political comments is negatively related to perceived civility in society, which in turn is positively related to off-line and online political participation. Data also indicate that exposure to reasoned online political comments is positively associated with off-line and online political participation both directly and indirectly through perceived civility. Implications are discussed for political deliberation and uncivil political discourse.