The Positive Case for Negative Campaigning

Turn on the television or sign in to social media during election season and chances are you’ll see plenty of negative campaigning. For decades, conventional wisdom has held that Americans hate negativity in politics, as political scientists and pundits routinely all but beg campaigns to stay positive. But there is another side. In their book, The Positive Case for Negative Campaigning, Rutgers professor David Redlawsk and his co-author Kyle Mattes show not only that some negativity is accepted by voters as a valid part of politics, but that negative advertising is necessary to convey valuable information that would not otherwise be revealed. Without negativity, they argue, voters would be worse off. In this provocative talk, Dr. Redlawsk will explain why we should be positive about negativity. DAVID P. REDLAWSK, Director, Center for Public Interest Polling of the Eagleton Institute of Politics at Rutgers University Course: 001. Fee: $18. Student rate: $5 (Students should call to register or pay at the door. Valid student id required). Monday, May 2, 7:30-9pm, CHS, Black Box Theatre