Using the Mass Observation Archive to explore electoral (dis)engagement and feelings of political dissatisfaction over time (1983-2010)

Overview

‌Overall patterns of recent electoral disengagement/dissatisfaction in Britain have been mapped by survey research. However, these studies tell us little about why citizens have chosen to disengage from electoral politics, the nature of their dissatisfaction or, alternatively, what they get out of participation and how this may be changing. These questions demand in-depth research on citizens’ (dis)engagement with electoral politics, and how this changes over time.

This research will use the Mass Observation Archive to pursue this. The resource is untapped for this subject and contains rich, detailed information from a panel of respondents describing their views and feelings about elections. Data is available for a 27 year period, for six elections between 1983-2010, before and after the record low turnout in 2001, providing an unparalleled longitudinal, qualitative investigation of individual political (dis)engagement.

Given the qualitative nature of the data, particular attention will be paid to the feelings and emotions people draw upon when talking about their (dis)engagement with electoral politics. The analysis aims to provide a new understanding of political disengagement and dissatisfaction and the factors making them pervasive in our experience of contemporary politics. 

Scheme: British Academy / Leverhulme Small Research Grant

Research Starts: 01/11/2013

Research Ends: 01/05/2015 

Grant Reference Number: SG130352

Publication

The analysis of the 27 year long data collection is summarised in the following publication:

Manning, N., 2018. The veil of duty: can dutiful forms of citizenship mask feelings of political dissatisfaction?. British Politics, 13(4), pp.467-483.

Published Version: https://eprints.whiterose.ac.uk/124199/