The (Virtual) Ties that Bind: Video Games and Political Participation

• In Event: Committee on Political Sociology: Political Participation

Abstract

Decades of scholarship in political science has demonstrated the importance of discussion groups and social networks in a variety of behavioral and participatory outcomes. These groups can be formed by family, friends, co-workers, church-goers, social media users, and a multitude of others. However, political science has yet to address the possible effects that social video game play may have on political participation. This is an important gap to fill considering the widespread appeal of the medium (43 percent of all US adults report that they play games at least “sometimes” [Pew 2018]). This paper will present case studies of six popular video games (Destiny 2, Fortnite, Overwatch, Mario Kart, Mario Party, and Quiplash) exploring various ways that games can facilitate and strengthen social ties. I will then use data from three surveys--two representative of US youth and one representative of US adults-- to argue that increased social gaming is associated with increased political participation. Further, I will leverage the longitudinal component of the two US youth surveys to argue that the causal arrow appears to run from social gaming to participation. The implication of these findings and opportunities for future research will also be discussed.

Author

• Peter Robert Licari, University of Florida