‘To thine own self be true’: The perceived meanings and functions of political consistency

Abstract

Being perceived as consistent is a crucial concern for political actors’ in their efforts to mobilize public opinion. This study comprises an analysis of the self-reflexive performance of consistency by Israeli politicians, focusing on the definitions and types of ‘consistency’ in political talk and their consequences. Through an analysis of 194 meta-discursive statements between 2006 and 2017, we illustrate that consistency constitutes a spatiotemporal coordination among cognitions, actions (words and deeds), and the external world, while also being viewed as potentially transforming political reality. Perceived as a sought-after value indicative of truth-telling, determination, and clarity, political actors view consistency as an essential character trait, associated with ideological fortitude, and a basis for practical policy realization. (Consistency, ideology, political discourse, meta-discourse)*

Political Authenticity: Conceptualization of a Popular Term

“…The modern media environment provides politicians with opportunities and challenges for this performed political authenticity. While social media are an alternative means of sharing private information and interacting spontaneously and immediately with the audience, the increasing number of media contexts makes it more difficult for candidates to appear consistent across space and time (Friedman and Kampf 2020). Audiences can rely on a growing number of sources to question whether politicians appear authentic and construct perceived political authenticity.…”

“…First, consistency relates to politicians' performance. Performed consistency describes the performance or perception of similar appearances and actions by politicians across time and space (Friedman and Kampf 2020). Political campaigns aim to establish a consistent political narrative, such as Get Brexit Done, 1 which helps candidates to perform their messages and actions consistent across time and contexts like social media posts, parliament speeches, and TV appearances.…”

Perceiving politicians as true to themselves: Development and validation of the perceived political authenticity scale

“…Consistency describes perceptions of politicians as true to themselves by acting consistently and according to expectations. It assumes that politicians appear authentic when they perform similar actions over time and space, e.g., by sticking to their opinions, statements, and narratives [ 31 ]. Politicians are perceived as true to themselves when their actions correspond with the individual expectations recipients have of them [ 5 ].…”