Teoretyczne aspekty kreacji negatywnego wizerunku politycznego

Abstract

Modern election campaigns tend to be increasingly saturated with negative elements. Yet, the multi-dimensional nature of negative references in messages makes their real-life consequences very difficult to predict. Despite this fact, the acquisition and use – in various manners - of information in any way incriminating the political opponents is commonplace in modern election campaigns. In this context, the issues of activities that the negative campaign encompasses as well as boundaries in which the negative campaign fits in - the crossing of which may result in changing the outcomes assumed or planned by the sender of the messages – seem of particular interest. This article presents an analysis of the fundamental contexts of activities undertaken in the process of creating a negative image of a political entity or actor, and attempts to identify the boundaries of these areas. Among the most important analytical contexts, the author discusses the psychological, axiological, as well as normative and communication dimensions.