Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/307747 
Authors: 
Year of Publication: 
2024
Citation: 
[Journal:] Comparative Political Studies [ISSN:] 1552-3829 [Volume:] 57 [Issue:] 8 [Publisher:] SAGE Publishing [Place:] Thousand Oaks, CA [Year:] 2024 [Pages:] 1310-1338
Publisher: 
SAGE Publishing, Thousand Oaks, CA
Abstract: 
Does party system polarization mobilize voters? Polarization is increasingly shaping democratic competition across Europe. While often perceived to be negative, polarization can be an effective remedy against voter disengagement. This paper investigates two distinct, but often conflated mechanisms, which could explain why polarization leads to mobilization. Spatial polarization of parties diversifies electoral options at the ballot, while affective polarization mobilizes based on emotional considerations. This article then shows the link between polarization and turnout across 22 European countries. The results are complemented by a difference-in-differences analysis of German local elections. However, voting results alone do not inform about the mechanism at play. Survey data is used to show that negative affect appears to be the main driver of voter participation. Party polarization thus has ambivalent consequences for democracies: It mobilizes the electorate, but its effect is driven by negative emotions.
Subjects: 
polarization
voting behavior
voter turnout
representation
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Creative Commons License: 
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Document Type: 
Article
Document Version: 
Published Version

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