Mapping the moral domain in a modern town hall: Moral foundations’ effects on collective action conditioned by ideology and issue

E. G. HainesFlinders University

Emma F. ThomasFlinders University

Christina StothardDefence Science and Technology Group

David KernotDefence Science and Technology Group

Morgana Lizzio-WilsonUniversity of Exeter

Irene CaminschiDefence Science and Technology Group

Rohit RamUniversity of Technology Sydney

Marian-Andrei RizoiuUniversity of Technology Sydney

New Media & Society·February 5, 2026

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Abstract

We examine a year of political debate in a modern town hall to understand the following: when does moral talk turn to talk about action? For which ideological groupings do specific moral foundations matter and in the context of which issues? We analysed 210,170 tweets about the Australian television programme Q&A – a panel show with synchronous live and online audiences. We examined the topics, prevalence of different moralities and how these moralities explain talk of collective action for different ideological groups. Across all issues and ideological groups, talk of action was most often associated with talk of authority but ideological differences between left- and right-leaning participants emerged. Among left-leaning people, action was motivated by a range of moral foundations, but among right-leaning people action was primarily motivated by authority. Our findings map the ideological diversity found within modern town halls and confirm the critical role of these settings in contemporary socio-political life.

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