Randomized survey experiment shows turnout influences perceived efficacy in politically interested individuals, suggesting broader implications.
Do people change climate-related opinions when they learn that thousands protested? Two survey field experiments tested how turnout at major climate demonstrations shaped politically interested individuals’ views in a German national election. Turnout significantly increased perceived movement efficacy, especially among more involved participants, and potentially increased internal political efficacy. Pro-environmental attitudes and vote intentions remained unchanged. Protest days appear to signal collective capacity rather than drive immediate attitude change.
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Schieferdecker et al. (2026) studied this question.
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