Comparative Electoral Psychology in Democratic and Pseudo-Democratic Regimes

Dr. Smita Tiwary Ojha, Aditya Ojha

Abstract: Electoral psychology explores the cognitive, emotional, and behavioural dimensions of political engagement among voters. While robust in democratic contexts, this domain remains underexplored in pseudo-democratic regimes where electoral processes exist but lack substantive democratic features. This article presents a comparative analysis of electoral psychology across democratic and pseudo-democratic systems, examining the roles of political efficacy, trust, identity, media influence, and coercion. Drawing on cross-regime data and psychological theories, we identify key divergences in voter behaviour, motivation, and perception, highlighting the socio-political mechanisms that shape electoral cognition under different regime types. The paper concludes with implications for democratic resilience, authoritarian adaptation, and future research trajectories. Electoral psychology explores the cognitive, emotional, and behavioural dimensions of political engagement among voters. While robust in democratic contexts, this domain remains underexplored in pseudo-democratic regimes where electoral processes exist but lack substantive democratic features. This article presents a comparative analysis of electoral psychology across democratic and pseudo-democratic systems, examining the roles of political efficacy, trust, identity, media influence, and coercion. Drawing on cross-regime data and psychological theories, we identify key divergences in voter behaviour, motivation, and perception, highlighting the socio-political mechanisms that shape electoral cognition under different regime types.

Keywords: Electoral Psychology, Demographic systems, Democratic emotions, Instrumental voting

How to Cite?: Dr. Smita Tiwary Ojha, Aditya Ojha, "Comparative Electoral Psychology in Democratic and Pseudo-Democratic Regimes", Volume 15 Issue 3, March 2026, International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), Pages: 1112-1117, https://www.ijsr.net/getabstract.php?paperid=SR26318122429, DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.21275/SR26318122429

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