EXPERT ADVISORY
R00084
19 April 2016
Brock University — Communications & Public Affairs

On the day of the New York primaries, Brock University political scientist Stefan Dolgert has some interesting advice for those running against Republican party candidate Donald Trump.

Come up with a better enemy-and-victim story.

“Enemy and victimization narratives are politically effective, even if they’re not actually true,” Dolgert says of Trump’s claims that various ethnic and religious groups cause problems for the wider American public.

“It’s less important for progressives to point out the problems or the falsities with the other side’s narratives,” he says.

“It’s more important for progressives to construct a different narrative of victimization,” says Dolgert, adding that Democratic party candidate Bernie Sanders has done this by pointing to big banks wreaking havoc with the American economy.

“You can’t radically change the voters’ perspectives; what you can do is motivate them to come over to you if you give them a better story about why they’re suffering.”

Dolgert can take calls on:
•    The formation and use of political messaging in campaigns.
•    How and why candidates tap into the electorates’ anger and frustration.
•    Comparisons of this election’s campaign to previous elections.

Dolgert’s study — The Praise of Ressentiment: Or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Donald Trump — will be published in a political science journal later this year.

Contact: Stefan Dolgert, sdolgert@brocku.ca

For more information or for assistance arranging interviews:
* Cathy Majtenyi, research communications/media relations specialist, cmajtenyi@brocku.ca, 905-688-5550 x5789 or 905-321-0566

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