The Concept of Political Sophistication: Labeling the Unlabeled

Abstract

The concept of political sophistication, first introduced almost 60 years ago, is still widely discussed in political studies. However, due to the discrepancies in definitions, indicators, and findings, it is often difficult to discern how various approaches have contributed to the broader literature. Thus, to propose an intellectual order, this article uses a simple classification to understand these studies: the distinction between sophistication as the complexity of political reasoning (cognitive sophistication) and sophistication as the amount of political information (pragmatic sophistication). In addition, this article discusses the most recent developments in research and examines why previous literature have generally overlooked them. Finally, it provides a schematic summary that can serve as a guide to understanding the variety of research on political sophistication.