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Electoral Optimism
As I read Professor Ihsan Yilmaz's article, "How to Explain Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's Electoral Optimism Despite the Economic Crisis" - the term "Electoral Optimism" - the term jumped into my eyes, and I realised it was not in our list of optimism superpowers. It's now added!
Electoral optimism makes sense to me as a former MP who contested several elections. There was always so much excitement and anticipation in the volunteers and supporters in the lead-up to election day and on election day.
What does electoral optimism mean to you?
Electoral optimism is best defined as the belief that one's preferred candidate or party will emerge victorious in an election.
Electoral optimism stems from various factors indicating a potential triumph. It finds its roots in the candidate's popularity, the party's robust performance in polls, or the prevailing political climate.
Electoral optimism, the belief that one's preferred candidate or party will emerge victorious in an election stems from various factors indicating a potential triumph. It finds its roots in the candidate's popularity, the party's robust performance in polls, or the prevailing political climate.
Electoral optimism yields significant influence, serving as a potent motivator for people to exercise their right to vote and actively engage in campaign volunteering. Regrettably, this optimism can occasionally breed complacency when individuals become convinced of their candidate's assured victory. Despite the potential pitfalls, electoral optimism has the potential to be an uplifting force. It fosters enthusiasm surrounding elections and serves as a catalyst for heightened participation in the political process.
Some examples of the use of the term:
"A large measure of the Greens’ electoral optimism derives from the view that, in trying to appeal to both inner-city progressives and blue-collar regional workers, Labor offers weak policies and confusing messages." (Mark Kenny on "Adam Bandt will be a tougher leader, but the challenge will be in broadening the Greens’ appeal")
"The long and protracted process of forming a new government has put a damper on the public’s high expectations and post-electoral optimism. Moreover, it remains open how well the broad coalition will be able to function, as it includes parties with opposing political programs, particularly those targeting economic reform." (Christian Hanelt on Nine years after the end of dictatorship: Making international financial aid to Tunisia more effective 2020)
"On the other hand, a climate of electoral optimism accompanied the gloom-laden policy outlook. This optimism reflected the belief that the administration’s pursuit of what Truman called the “Fair Deal” was sure to alienate a majority of Americans; its return to the concerns of New Deal liberalism encouraged many Republicans to conclude that their victory was certain. In 1950, Republican politicians made the point explicit by adopting the theme of “liberty versus socialism” for their midterm campaign." (Robert Mason on “Liberty versus Socialism”: 1945–1953)
"Brazil: Electoral Optimism Should Be Guarded" (Pedro Tuesta)
"Loyalty to the party leadership and even the party apparatus becomes more important in deciding political careers than the will of the electorate and the abilities of politicians. Party structures can create something of a shadow state within the real state. Electoral optimism and preelection maneuvers become more important than the actual interest of society....It could hence easily happen that the electorate is governed by people who were not really voted in by them at all." (Wheaton and Kavan, 1992:176-7)
"Dow Surges on Electoral Optimism" (Jeremy Bowman)
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