A new report from the TCO, titled 'Hövlighetskommissionen', reveals that nearly half of respondents avoid political debates because they perceive the tone as overly aggressive, according to the report's author, researcher Dan Hasson. The survey, based on 1,041 interviews conducted from February 20–27, also found that a quarter of participants say the harsh tone diminishes their willingness to vote, Hasson said. Hasson noted that incivility has increased throughout society and within politics.
He sees the harsh tone as a negative spiral that reduces trust in society. Survey respondents described debates as 'at a sandbox level', filled with 'mudslinging' and 'everyone talking over each other', according to Hasson. If the tone improved, 54 percent of respondents said they would engage more with politics, Hasson stated.
They think, among other things, that the debates are 'at a sandbox level', filled with 'mudslinging' and 'everyone talking over each other'.
Hasson warned that when politicians behave rudely, it risks spreading to other politicians and voters, potentially benefiting undemocratic politicians. The findings highlight a growing concern over political discourse and its impact on democratic participation. The report suggests that improving the tone of political conversations could lead to higher engagement and voter turnout.
Hasson emphasized that the negative spiral of incivility undermines trust in democratic institutions. The survey results indicate that many citizens are turned off by the current state of political debate, which they perceive as unproductive and disrespectful. Addressing this issue could help restore faith in the political process and encourage more people to participate.
He sees the harsh tone as a negative spiral that reduces trust in society.
When politicians behave rudely, it risks spreading to other politicians and naturally also to voters. Eventually, the risk increases that undemocratic politicians who are much better at this game than the others get in.