Understanding and Measuring Affective Polarisation in Mass Publics

This thesis concerns individuals’ affect within political divisions, more precisely it discusses the concept and phenomenon of affective polarisation, which commonly refers to the dislike between individuals of different political camps. This thesis is guided by a methodological approach focused on the subjectively experiencing individual as analytical starting point for comprehending social and political phenomena. Though connected by this shared theme and approach, each main chapter may function as a standalone piece. After an introductory chapter conceptually discussing the political ‘polarisation’-term, the first main chapter, the core of this thesis, concerns the conceptualisation and operationalisation of mass public affective polarisation. Common approaches imply that the complete affective polarisation of an entire mass public is captured by dislike between partisans. I begin by observing however that particularly in the subjective experience of individuals, societies seem to be shaped by various different cross-cutting political divides. Thus, if we aim to grasp affective polarisation comprehensively, we should recognise that individuals have various political camps they subjectively (dis-)like in a complex and cumulative manner. I therefore propose a broad and generic conceptualisation of mass affective polarisation as the extent to which individuals base positive and negative affect towards others on the others’ politics. I support the relevance and merit of this approach by employing a corresponding measure in cross- validations and cross-country comparisons with previous measures. The subsequent chapters use this new approach and further underscore its utility. In the third chapter, I explore the link between affective polarisation and democratic stability in publics. Results from causal models indicate that rising affective polarisation, arguably by leading individuals to view political opposition as illegitimate, diminishes their endorsement of the democratic system and its central norms, while increasing their support for authoritarian alternatives. I also uncover a negative feedback loop, as non-endorsement of norms and authoritarian support seem to foster affective polarisation. This chapter thus highlights potential pernicious effects of affective polarisation. The fourth chapter explores the role of economic hardship in driving affective polarisation. My findings across four sub-studies indicate a relationship between the two, both at the country-level and, centrally, at the individual-level. The feeling of deprivation, such that individuals perceive struggles in affording basic goods for a decent life seems to mostly drive this link. This chapter thus highlights the potential of mitigating economic hardship to limit affective polarisation. In sum, this thesis proposes a novel, comprehensive approach to understanding and measuring mass public affective polarisation that proves valuable and important in understanding its relationship to other phenomena.

Name dc:type.qualificationname

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Level dc:type.qualificationlevel

Doctoral

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

University of Cambridge

Year dc:date.issued

2024

Author dc:creator

• Quednau, Marian

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Foa, Roberto Stefan

• affective polarisation
• affective polarization
• anti-democratic attitudes
• conceptionalisation
• conceptionalization
• democratic deconsolidation
• economic deprivation
• economic hardship
• political animosity
• political polarisation
• political polarization
• political violence
• subjective political experience

Licence

• https://www.repository.cam.ac.uk/bitstreams/91b8879c-668b-412d-bafb-eeb67fdff4ba/download
• http://purl.org/NET/rdflicense/allrightsreserved

Language dc:language

eng

DOI dc:identifier.doi

https://doi.org/10.17863/CAM.116452

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.repository.cam.ac.uk:1810/381128