The Nature of Silence and Its Democratic Possibilities (original) (raw)

The paper examines the dual nature of silence in political communication, arguing that silence has been historically underestimated in favor of vocal expression. By distinguishing between silence 'from above' (illegitimate secrecy) and silence 'from below' (silencing of the powerless), it explores how expectations shape the roles and perceptions of silence in political contexts. The research proposes that analyzing silence through the lens of expectations enables a nuanced understanding of its functions and implications in political discourse.