Noga Center X Reichman University | On the Way to the Ballot Box: Between Reality and Consciousness

How does declining trust in political institutions and a weakening sense of representation affect us as citizens and voters?

And how do campaigns and conspiracy theories influence the ballot we cast?

Noga Center and the Institute for Liberty and Responsibility invite you to a special evening: two short lectures and a question-and-answer panel with the audience.

The Democratic Challenge: Participation and Voting in an Era of Lost Trust

Prof. Amnon Cavari, Lauder School of Government, Diplomacy and Strategy, Reichman University

In recent years, we have witnessed declining trust in political institutions, a weakening sense of representation, and growing doubts about our ability to influence the system. How do these processes affect us as citizens and voters? On what basis do we decide whom to vote for, and what role does an election campaign play in shaping our choice? The lecture will examine the relationship between political trust, a sense of influence, electoral participation, and voting patterns.

At the Heart of the Storm: Conspiracy Theories in an Era of Political Polarization

Dr. Omer Yair, Lauder School of Government, Diplomacy and Strategy, Reichman University

Conspiracy theories have become a prominent part of political and public discourse around the world. What characterizes conspiracy theories, why do people believe them, how do different politicians use them—and do they affect elections or the public response to election results? The lecture will address these issues and examine the various implications of conspiratorial beliefs in democratic countries, with an emphasis on trust in institutions and election results.