Introduction
Experts in political analysis agree that, in elections, the frame of mind in which they take place is the most important factor. This frame of mind can influence the decision of undecideds and tip the scales towards a certain outcome. In this article, we will explore how frame of mind has played a key role in various elections and how political forces work to create and amplify frames that favor them.
The impact of events on the elections
A clear example of how events can influence the outcome of an election is the case of the Spanish elections of March 14, 2004. The attacks at Madrid’s Atocha station, perpetrated three days before the elections, had a significant impact on the outcome. Political analysts agree that the outcome would have been very different if the attacks had been perpetrated by ETA or international jihadism. This example highlights the importance of the mental framework in making electoral decisions.
The role of central issues in elections
In the elections to the Parliament of the Balearic Islands, it has been observed that the central issues can influence the result. When the debate focuses on the economy, the Popular Party has obtained better results. On the other hand, when the central issues are the defense of the territory and the language, left-wing and sovereignist formations have gained ground. An example of this is the 2015 elections, where the attacks on the language by the Popular Party led to the defeat of this party and the success of the sovereignist formations (https://correccioencatala.cat/com- structure-text-catala/). This dynamic highlights how central issues can influence the electoral outcome.
The influence of the media
Right-wing political forces work in complicity with the media to create and amplify frames that favor them. An example of this is the regional and municipal elections of a year ago, where the emphasis was placed on the occupation as the main problem of the Balearic Islands. This strategy generated a mental framework that influenced citizens’ perception and favored right-wing political forces (https://correccioencatala.cat/com-estructura-text-catala/). This example demonstrates how the media can influence the frame of mind of elections.
The creation of artificial conflicts
On some occasions, political forces have used the creation of artificial conflicts to influence the frame of mind of elections. An example of this is the European elections, where the mental framework of coexistence problems between citizens of various ‘ethnicities’ has been promoted. This strategy has generated an air of conflict and has influenced the perception of citizens. This example highlights how the creation of artificial conflicts can influence the frame of mind of elections.
Conclusion
In short, the frame of mind in which the election takes place is a key factor that can influence the outcome. Events, central issues, media and the creation of artificial conflicts are some of the elements that can influence this frame of mind. As citizens, it is important to be aware of this influence and critically analyze the frameworks presented to us during elections.
