Left-Wing Inertia Toward Animal Advocacy: A Research Blind Spot| Psychology of Human-Animal Intergroup Relations | Pierce Veitch, Rebecca Gregson
Abstract: Recently, social scientists, practitioners and advocates have dedicated increasing attention towards engaging the political right in animal advocacy (e.g., Jenni et al., 2026). This growing focus on conservative outreach reflects a broad concern about polarisation. While this concern is legitimate, it may obscure equally important challenges in the movement’s ability to sustainably engage the political left. In this commentary we explore the extent to which animal advocacy is already successful among left-leaning audiences and whether left-wing attitudinal support for animal advocacy translates into meaningful behavioural change (e.g., diet change, advocacy efforts, donating to animal charities). Last, we explore under what circumstances targeted social change is more effectively achieved by mobilising a cohesive, committed minority and when it is more appropriate to seek bipartisan support. Drawing on evidence from the behavioural sciences we argue for greater empirical attention to the forms, limits, and sources of left-wing inertia within animal advocacy.