Source: EconLog
by Kevin Corcoran
“Recently published research suggests that partisans are often aware when leaders in their movement make factually incorrect claims. As the authors summarize, they find that, ‘voters often recognize when their parties’ claims are not based on objective evidence. Yet they still respond positively, if they believe these inaccurate statements evoke a deeper, more important ‘truth.” For example, they found that many Trump supporters who support the former President’s claim that the 2020 election was stolen from him are fully aware that this claim is factually incorrect. Nonetheless, they still invoke these claims because they, ‘see these allegations as important for ‘American priorities,’ because they believe the political system is illegitimate and stacked against their interests.’ … Of course, people tend to apply this leeway about factual correctness rather unevenly.” (09/24/24)
https://www.econlib.org/truth-loyalty-signaling-and-externalities/