Logo image
Back
From referendum to reconciliation: How shared values and identities align with a commitment to long-term collective action
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

From referendum to reconciliation: How shared values and identities align with a commitment to long-term collective action

Emily A. Haines, Emma F. Thomas, Susilo Wibisono, Winnifred R. Louis, Janquel D. Acevedo and Michael Wenzel
Political psychology, Vol.47(5), 70195
2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/pops.70195
pdf
From referendum1.52 MBDownloadView
Open Access CC BY-NC V4.0

Abstract

Government & Law Political Science Psychology Psychology, Social Social Sciences
One formal mechanism for effecting change to progress the rights of structurally disadvantaged groups is via citizen referenda. However, referenda are often characterized by divisive public debate. We suggest that sustaining action for long-term change (beyond a referendum itself) may be associated with identifying with an opinion-based group and perceiving shared values between advantaged and disadvantaged groups. Among a nationally representative sample of Australians (N = 2467), we examined collective action intentions for the Reconciliation Movement 1 month before, 1 week before, and 1 week after the 2023 Voice to Parliament referendum. Study 1 used a random intercept cross-lagged panel model to show that value consensus, opinion-based identification as a supporter of Reconciliation, and reconciliation action were positively associated at a temporally stable level, but within-person effects did not vary much from these levels. Study 2 used growth mixture models and revealed five diverging trajectories of reconciliation action, which were explained by differences in value consensus, opinion-based identification, and support/opposition to the Voice referendum. Our findings offer some of the first evidence showing that value consensus and opinion-based identification are associated with sustaining action for social change, especially during times of polarization and division.

Details

Metrics

1 Record Views
Logo image