Public opinion, message framing and deliberative democracy: striving for a progressive consensus

McNeil, Thomas Benjamin (2025). Public opinion, message framing and deliberative democracy: striving for a progressive consensus. University of Birmingham. Ph.D.

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Abstract

Public opinion theories highlight a degraded civic and media discourse on crime. They also highlight the inter-relationship between political rhetoric on crime, rising public punitive sentiment, scapegoating of poorer communities and reactionary government policies. However, theories oversimplify public opinion and omit analysis of opinion formation mechanics and effective public engagement methodology for crime debates. Addressing limitations, this thesis presents a theoretical analysis of opinion formation mechanisms, including message framing. It also takes a position within deliberative democracy theory for enhancing public discourse on crime, while incorporating opinion formation mechanics including factual and emotional learning. To explore this theory, deliberative democracy exercises with public participants were conducted. It analysed the impact of deliberating on crime opinions by comparing pre and post-deliberation interview answers. This thesis found that deliberations brought participants to a progressive consensus. It also shifted punitive participants’ perspectives towards more progressive opinions, stimulated civic inspiration and found that a mix of rational and emotional information was persuasive for influencing crime opinions. Public deliberation could therefore enhance public crime debates as a precursor to policy reform. However, further work is required to realise this potential, including overcoming logistical barriers for scaling-up deliberation to widen public participation.

Type of Work:

Thesis (Doctorates > Ph.D.)

Award Type:

Doctorates > Ph.D.

Supervisor(s):