The Effect of TV Debates on Vote Selection: Evidence from the 19th Presidential Election in South Korea (2018.05)

• Authors : Jin Seok Bae
• Journal : Korean Journal of Political Science
• Publisher : Korean Political Science Society
• Volume : 26(2)
• Publication Date : May, 2018
• Abstract : The study highlights the political context in which TV debates can take effect in the 19th presidential election in 2017. In this political context, this study argues that TV debates are not limited to changes in perceptions such as change in favor of candidates, but also to concrete actions such as candidate changes. While previous studies have focused on the causal relationship between the exposure to TV debates and candidate selection, this study empirically analyzes that voter efficacy of TV debates regarding comparison of candidates’ quality has a direct effect on candidate selection. As a result of the hypothesis test, this study argues that the falling popularity of Ahn Cheol-soo came from his poor performance in the TV debate