Senior Project Advisor
Melanie Bowers
Document Type
Project - Campus-only Access
Publication Date
Spring 2025
Keywords
Democracy, Motivated Reasoning, Political Philosophy, Voting, Polarization
Abstract
Political polarization and ideological extremism have become increasingly common in the United States. Voter turnout is low, and political discourse is extremely partisan. This podcast seeks to ascertain what the philosophical ideal of democracy should be, juxtaposed to the current patterns of voting, and reasoning in society. Through a comprehensive literature review on the concept of motivated reasoning, and sifting through political discourse, the solution is a complex one, but has a basis in grassroots movement, and the power of the local vote in changing perceptions and changing worlds.
Department
Political Science
Recommended Citation
King, Charlotte, "The Role of Motivated Reasoning in Maintaining Democracy" (2025). WWU Honors College Senior Projects. 965.
https://cedar.wwu.edu/wwu_honors/965
Type
Text
Rights
Copying of this document in whole or in part is allowable only for scholarly purposes. It is understood, however, that any copying or publication of this document for commercial purposes, or for financial gain, shall not be allowed without the author’s written permission.
Language
English
Format
application/pdf