Skip to main content

ETHNOS_APP

Home • Search • Journals • List 0

Who Dislikes Whom? Affective Polarization between Pairs of Parties in Western Democracies

Bibliographic Data

ID6228409
AuthorsNoam Gidron (0000-0002-0217-1204, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, corresponding author), James Adams (0000-0003-0415-4632, University of California, Davis), William Horne (0000-0001-9615-4853, Georgia State University), Will Horne
Year2023
Volume53
Issue3
Pages997-1015
Publication date2023-07-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueBritish Journal of Political Science (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0007-1234 • E-ISSN: 1469-2112
PublisherCambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1017/s0007123422000394
OpenAlexW4308650853
LanguageEN
Citations received99
References cited66

While dislike of opposing parties, that is, affective polarization, is a defining feature of contemporary politics, research on this topic largely centers on the United States. We introduce an approach that analyzes affective polarization between pairs of parties, bridging the US two-party system and multiparty systems in other democracies. Analyzing survey data from twenty Western democracies since the mid-1990s, first, we show that partisans' dislike of out-parties is linked to elite policy disagreements on economic issues and, increasingly over time, also to cultural issues. Secondly, we argue and empirically demonstrate that governing coalition partners in parliamentary democracies display much warmer feelings toward each other than we would expect based on elite policy (dis)agreements. Third, we show that radical right parties are disliked much more intensely than we would expect based on policy disputes and coalition arrangements. These findings highlight the policy-based and institutional underpinnings of affective polarization

Elite · Feeling · Polarization (electrochemistry · Political economy · Political science · Politics · Sociology · Survey data collection · Electoral Systems and Political Participation · Gender Politics and Representation · Law · Populism, Right-Wing Movements · Psychology · Social Psychology

  • Mass Polarization across Time and Space

    Open Access•Isaac D Mehlhaff•Mass Polarization Across Time and…•2025

  • Affective, but not ideological, polarization increases tolerance for undemocratic behavior

    Open Access•Javier Muñoz, Francesc Amat et al.•European Political Science Review•2026

  • Elite Interactions and Social Bonds

    Open Access•Lie Philip Santoso•Political Behavior•2026

  • The Normalization of the Radical Right

    Vicente Valentim•The Normalization of the Radical…•2024

  • Measuring affective polarization

    Open Access•James N Druckman, Samara Klar et al.•Political Psychology•2026

  • Mass Polarization Across Time and Space

    Isaac D Mehlhaff•Mass Polarization Across Time and…•2025

  • Why do young US Americans avoid cross-partisan dating? A closer look at mediators and variation by gender and party

    Open Access•Shannon Taflinger, A Hudde•European Sociological Review•2026

  • (Mis)information, Polarization, and Trust in Elections

    Open Access•Mathieu Lavigne, Holly Ann Garnett et al.•Public Opinion Quarterly•2026

  • Kulkutautimyönteisiä rokoteräyhääjiä Manskua tukkimassa”

    Open Access•Armi Mustosmäki, Asko Huisman•Media & viestintä•2025

  • Elite affective polarization and government formation

    Open Access•Hanna Bäck, Royce Carroll et al.•European Journal of Political…•2026

  • Putting the affect into affective polarisation

    Open Access•Bert N Bakker, Yphtach Lelkes•Cognition & Emotion•2024

  • Attitude Formation Based on Political Views

    Open Access•Jacob Lange, Alex Koch et al.•Personality and Social Psychology…•2025

  • Political identity bias in interpersonal attitudes

    Open Access•Ismael Crespo Martínez, Alberto Mora et al.•Revista Latinoamericana de…•2024

  • The Disconnection of Advocacy and Analysis in Public Administration

    Open Access•Gerry Stoker, Brenton Prosser et al.•Public Administration•2026

  • When Does Party Cooperation Inform Voters Judgments of Policy Proximity? A Cross-National Analysis of Heuristic Use in Multi-Party Democracies

    Open Access•Lie Philip Santoso•Comparative Political Studies•2026

  • Harmony in Political Discourse? The Impact of High-Quality Listening on Speakers’ Perceptions Following Political Conversations

    Open Access•G Itzchakov, Niv Navon et al.•Media and Communication•2025

  • Who attacks whom? How populism and Euroscepticism drive cross-national conflict between European party elites

    Open Access•James Adams, James E Adams et al.•European Union Politics•2026

  • The (alleged) consequences of affective polarization

    Open Access•Eelco Harteveld, Lars Erik Berntzen et al.•European Journal of Political…•2026

  • How does affective polarization feel? A comparative description

    Open Access•Katharina Lawall, Peter Luca Versteegen et al.•European Journal of Political…•2026

  • The impacts of scandal-based coalition terminations on voters

    Open Access•Ida B Hjermitslev, Florence So•European Journal of Political…•2026

  • How issue opinions relate to individual-level affective polarization

    Open Access•Kim Strandberg, Jesper Eklund et al.•International Political Science…•2026

  • Partisan (In)Tolerance and Affective Polarization

    Open Access•James Tilley, Teresa Bejan et al.•British Journal of Political…•2024

  • Overcoming impeachment hurdles

    Open Access•Mahmoud Farag, Isabella C Montini et al.•European Political Science Review•2026

  • AI meets politics

    Open Access•Sanne Kruikemeier, Svenja Schäfer et al.•New Media & Society•2026

  • Uncovering Mutual Understanding on Immigration with Open-Ended Survey Questions

    Open Access•Soran Hajo Dahl•British Journal of Political…•2026

  • The disappointing (not hateful) divide

    Open Access•Mabelle Kretchner, Julia Elad-Strenger et al.•Cognition & Emotion•2026

  • Camps, not just parties. The dynamic foundations of affective polarization in multi-party systems

    Open Access•Ivo Bantel•Electoral Studies•2023

  • Affektiv polarisering i Norden – en oversikt

    Open Access•Erik Knudsen, Erik S Knudsen et al.•Tidsskrift for samfunnsforskning•2023

  • A tale of two crises

    Open Access•Roula Nezi•Frontiers in Political Science•2024

  • The Impact of Social Norms on Cohesion and (De)Polarization

    Open Access•M J Lubbers, Marcin Bukowski et al.•Social Inclusion•2025

  • Dynamics of Electoral Polarisation in Climate Policy Discourse

    Open Access•Paul Drecker•Politics and Governance•2025

  • Polarization and Democracy in Central Europe

    Open Access•Petra Guasti, Aleš Michal•Politics and Governance•2025

  • Affective Polarization Among Radical‐Right Supporters

    Open Access•Jochem Vanagt, Katrin Praprotnik et al.•Politics and Governance•2024

  • The Discursive Dimensions of Pernicious Polarization. Analysis of Right-Wing Populists in Western Europe on Twitter

    Open Access•Suania Acampa, Federica Nunziata•Social Sciences•2024

  • The Polarization Paradox

    Open Access•Gil Baptista Ferreira, Lourenço Silva Ferreira•Social Sciences•2025

  • Does polarization increase participation? A systematic literature review and meta-analysis

    Open Access•Marta Kołczyńska•European Political Science Review•2025

  • Are some parties immune from scandal? Party family, scandal exposure, and party evaluation

    Debra Leiter, Greg Vonnahme et al.•Journal of Elections Public…•2025

  • Examining the Territorial Dimension as a Source of Affective Polarization in the Spanish Multinational Democracy

    Daniel Balinhas•Ethnopolitics•2024

  • Partisan Messages and Support for Democratic Institutions

    Open Access•Flavia Batista da Silva, Carolina F T Batista et al.•Latin American Politics and Society•2026

  • Speaking apart

    Betül Aydoğan Ünal, Mesut Körpe et al.•Mediterranean Politics•2026

  • The two faces of issue polarisation and their impact on party competition in Western Europe

    Open Access•William John Atkinson•Party Politics•2025

  • Partisan affect and political tolerance in the context of shifting norms

    Open Access•Jochem Vanagt, Katrin Praprotnik et al.•Journal of European Public Policy•2025

  • Lay representations of populism

    Open Access•Helena Rovamo, Inari Sakki•Journal of Community & Applied…•2023

  • Warring Expressivisms

    Open Access•Miloš Broćić, G Watts•International Journal of Politics…•2026

  • Proving Her Strength

    Open Access•Nicole Huffman, Lauren P Olson et al.•Legislative Studies Quarterly•2025

  • Congenial messages from politicians reduce affective polarization among citizens

    Open Access•Rasmus T Pedersen, Julian Christensen et al.•European Journal of Political…•2025

  • The unifying magic of the unwaved flag

    Open Access•Maria Nordbrandt, Gina Gustavsson et al.•European Journal of Political…•2026

  • Institutions, parties and the evolution of electoral preferences

    Open Access•Christopher Wlezien, Will Jennings•European Journal of Political…•2023

  • One more constrained than the other

    Open Access•Tadeáš Celý•European Journal of Political…•2025

  • Conflict on the campaign trail? How campaign effort and electoral competitiveness shape affective polarization

    Open Access•Justin Robinson, Ruth Dassonneville•Electoral Studies•2026

  • Introduction

    Open Access•Eelco Harteveld, Luigi Russo et al.•Electoral Studies•2023

  • The age of virtue signaling

    Open Access•Sebastian Jungkunz•Political Psychology•2026

  • Affective polarisation and the sorting of policy preferences in multiparty systems

    Open Access•Alexander Ryan, Royce Carroll et al.•West European Politics•2026

  • A taste for government employment also rests on its political flavor

    Open Access•Sharon Gilad, Raanan Sulitzeanu-Kenan et al.•Public Administration Review•2024

  • Seven Decades of Gender Differences in German Voting Behavior

    Open Access•A Hudde•KZfSS Kölner Zeitschrift für…•2023

  • Favoring ingroups, derogating from outgroups

    Open Access•Lucas Kins, Laura Jacobs et al.•Acta Politica•2026

  • Affective polarization in Europe

    Open Access•Markus Wagner•European Political Science Review•2024

  • Misunderstood Differences

    Open Access•Tanisa Tawichsri, Thiti Tosborvorn et al.•Journal of East Asian Studies•2026

  • Who's to blame for failed integration of immigrants? Blame attributions as an affectively polarizing force in lay discussions of immigration in Finland

    Open Access•Helena Rovamo, Katarina Pettersson et al.•Political Psychology•2023

  • Narcissism and Affective Polarization

    Open Access•James Tilley, Sara B Hobolt et al.•Political Behavior•2024

  • Varieties of dissensus over liberal democracy in the EU. National and transnational actors

    Nathan Brack, Ramona Coman et al.•European Politics and Society•2025

  • The Downsian roots of affective polarization

    Open Access•C Algara, Roi Zur•Electoral Studies•2023

  • Interpretive communities of resistance

    Open Access•Tine Ustad Figenschou, Kjersti Thorbjørnsrud•New Media & Society•2023

  • Trends in Political Science Research

    Open Access•Tamanna M Shah•International Political Science…•2025

  • An unrequited conflict

    Alina Zumbrunn•West European Politics•2026

  • Changing affective alignments between parties and voters

    Open Access•Tristan Klingelhöfer, Simon Richter et al.•West European Politics•2025

  • Communicating a common front

    Open Access•Markus Kollberg, Ivo Bantel•West European Politics•2025

  • Political Stigma and Preference Falsification

    Vicente Valentim•The Journal of Politics•2024

  • Perceptions of populist radical right mainstreaming as a threat to democracy

    Antonella Seddone, Mattia Zulianello•South European Society & Politics•2023

  • The young, the radical and the dissatisfied

    Lea Heyne, Luca Manucci et al.•South European Society & Politics•2025

  • Affective polarisation and voting behavior in Portugal (2002–2024)

    Frederico Ferreira Da Silva•South European Society & Politics•2025

  • Exploring differences in affective polarization between the Nordic countries

    Open Access•Alexander Ryan•Scandinavian Political Studies•2023

  • What Do We Measure When We Measure Affective Polarization across Countries

    Open Access•Thomas Tichelbaecker, Noam Gidron et al.•Public Opinion Quarterly•2023

  • A Longitudinal Study on the Dynamic Relationship Between Affective Polarization and Radical Right’s Emergence

    Open Access•Josep M Comellas, Mariano Torcal et al.•Political Studies•2025

  • Elite Cooperation and Affective Polarization

    Open Access•Markus Wagner, Eelco Harteveld•Political Studies•2025

  • Affective polarization and democratic erosion

    Open Access•Loreto Cox, Pedro Cubillos et al.•Political Science Research and…•2025

  • Unaffected polarization? Populism and affective polarization in comparative perspective

    Open Access•Alberto Stefanelli, Bruno Castanho Silva•Political Psychology•2025

  • The Unintended Consequences of Amplifying the Radical Right on Twitter

    Open Access•Jorge M Fernandes, Miguel Won•Political Communication•2023

  • Affective States

    Open Access•Dylan Paltra, Marius Sältzer et al.•Political Behavior•2025

  • Challenging by Cueing? An Investigation of Party and Leader Cueing Effects Across Mainstream and Challenger Party Voters

    Open Access•Mariano Torcal, Sergio Martini et al.•Political Behavior•2025

  • Who cooperates with whom? The role of day-to-day partisan cooperation in affective polarization

    Open Access•Lie Philip Santoso•Party Politics•2025

  • A Threat to Cohesion

    Open Access•Tal Orian Harel, Nimrod Nir et al.•Journal of Conflict Resolution•2025

  • Delving into the divide

    Open Access•Patrick F A Van Erkel, Emma Turkenburg•European Political Science Review•2022

  • United in success, fragmented in failure

    Open Access•Jochem Vanagt, Markus Kollberg•European Journal of Political…•2025

  • Differentiating the sources of post‐election partisan affect warming

    Open Access•Noam Gidron, Lior Sheffer•European Journal of Political…•2024

  • Punishing the pseudo‐opposition

    Open Access•Ida B Hjermitslev•European Journal of Political…•2024

  • Citizens’ perceptions of online abuse directed at politicians

    Open Access•Niels Bjørn Grund Petersen, Rasmus T Pedersen et al.•European Journal of Political…•2025

  • What is democratic resilience

    Open Access•Wolfgang Merkel•Democratization•2025

  • The Way we Were

    Open Access•William Horne, James Adams et al.•Comparative Political Studies•2023

  • How Crises Shape Circles of Solidarity

    Open Access•Jeremy Ferwerda, Gabriele Magni et al.•Comparative Political Studies•2024

  • The Two-Way Effects of Populism on Affective Polarization

    Open Access•Braeden Davis, Jay Goodliffe et al.•Comparative Political Studies•2025

  • Beyond Observational Relationships

    Open Access•Noam Gidron, James Adams et al.•British Journal of Political…•2025

  • How Mainstream Politicians Erode Norms

    Open Access•Vicente Valentim, Elias Dinas et al.•British Journal of Political…•2025

  • Populism, technocracy, and affective polarization

    Open Access•Ilkka Koiranen, Arttu Saarinen•Acta Sociologica•2025

  • The poles in polarization

    Open Access•Adrian Rothers•Electoral Studies•2025

  • Affective Polarization and Consensus Building Among Parliamentary Elites

    Open Access•Leonardo Sánchez-Ferrer, Mariano Torcal•American Behavioral Scientist•2024

  • Field of Education and Political Behavior

    Open Access•Liesbet Hooghe, Gary Marks et al.•American Political Science Review•2025

  • Patterns of Affective Polarization toward Parties and Leaders across the Democratic World

    Open Access•Andres Reiljan, Diego Garzia et al.•American Political Science Review•2024

  • Conditional Populist Party Support

    Open Access•Nina Wiesehomeier, Saskia Ruth-Lovell et al.•Latin American Research Review•2025

  • The Palgrave Handbook of Populism

    Open Access•Michael Oswald•Palgrave Handbook of Populism•2022

  • Follow the Leader?

    Gabriel S Lenz•Follow the leader?•2012

  • The Transformation of European Social Democracy

    Open Access•Herbert Kitschelt•Transformation of European Social…•1994

  • Parliaments and Coalitions

    Leonard W Martins, Lanny W Martin et al.•Parliaments and coalitions•2011

  • Why Americans Hate Welfare

    Martin Gilens•Why Americans hate welfare•1999

  • American Affective Polarization in Comparative Perspective

    Open Access•Noam Gidron, James Adams et al.•American Affective Polarization…•2020

  • Why Washington Won't Work

    Marc J Hetherington, Thomas J Rudolph et al.•Why Washington Won't Work•2015

  • The Politics of Competence

    Open Access•Jane Green, Will Jennings•Politics of Competence•2017

  • Uncivil Agreement

    L Mason•Uncivil agreement•2018

  • Cultural Backlash

    Open Access•P Norris, Ronald Inglehart•Cultural Backlash•2019

  • West European Politics in the Age of Globalization

    Open Access•Hanspeter Kriesi, Edgar Grande et al.•West European Politics in the Age…•2008

  • Identity Crisis

    Open Access•Josh Sides, John Sides et al.•Identity crisis•2018

  • Cross-Country Trends in Affective Polarization

    Levi Boxell, Matthew Gentzkow et al.•The Review of Economics and…•2024

  • The New Minority

    Open Access•Graham K Wilson•The Forum•2017

  • Principle vs. Pragmatism

    Open Access•M Tavits•American Journal of Political…•2007

  • Measuring party positions in Europe

    Open Access•Ryan Bakker, Catherine E De Vries et al.•Party Politics•2012

  • Expressive Versus Instrumental Partisanship in Multiparty European Systems

    Open Access•Leonie Huddy, Alexa Bankert et al.•Political Psychology•2018

  • Achieving Statistical Significance with Control Variables and Without Transparency

    Open Access•Gabriel S Lenz, Alexander Sahn•Political Analysis•2021

  • Cleavage theory meets Europe’s crises

    Liesbet Hooghe, Gary Marks•Journal of European Public Policy•2018

  • Fear and loathing across party lines’ (also) in Europe

    Open Access•Andres Reiljan•European Journal of Political…•2020

  • Globalization and the transformation of the national political space

    Open Access•Hanspeter Kriesi, Edgar Grande et al.•European Journal of Political…•2006

  • Rethinking the dependent variable in voting behavior

    Open Access•Cees Van Der Eijk, Wouter Van Der Brug et al.•Electoral Studies•2006

  • Negative partisanship towards the populist radical right and democratic resilience in Western Europe

    Carlos Meléndez, Cristóbal Rovira Kaltwasser•Democratization•2021

  • The Ideological Foundations of Affective Polarization in the U.S. Electorate

    Open Access•Steven W Webster, Alan I Abramowitz•American Politics Research•2017

  • Social divides in the age of globalization

    Open Access•Marc Helbling, Sebastian Jungkunz•West European Politics•2020

  • The Electoral Appeal of Party Strategies in Postindustrial Societies

    Tarik Abou‐chadi, Tarik Abou-Chadi et al.•The Journal of Politics•2019

  • Ideological Tripolarization, Partisan Tribalism and Institutional Trust

    Open Access•Andres Reiljan, Alexander Ryan•Scandinavian Political Studies•2021

  • Mass Polarization

    Yphtach Lelkes•Public Opinion Quarterly•2016

  • What Do We Measure When We Measure Affective Polarization

    Open Access•James N Druckman, Matthew S Levendusky et al.•Public Opinion Quarterly•2019

  • Revisiting the Myth

    Marc J Hetherington, Meri T Long et al.•Public Opinion Quarterly•2016

  • Pariahs or Partners? Inclusion and Exclusion of Radical Right Parties and the Effects on Their Policy Positions

    Open Access•Tjitske Akkerman, Matthijs Rooduijn•Political Studies•2015

  • Policy over party

    Open Access•Yphtach Lelkes•Political Science Research and…•2021

  • The Dynamics of Voters’ Left/Right Identification

    Open Access•Catherine E De Vries, Armen Hakhverdian et al.•Political Science Research and…•2013

  • How Ideology Fuels Affective Polarization

    Open Access•Jon C Rogowski, Joseph L Sutherland•Political Behavior•2016

  • The Electoral Politics of Growth Regimes

    Open Access•P A Hall•Perspectives on Politics•2020

  • Sorting between and within coalitions

    Open Access•Matthew E Bergman•Italian Political Science…•2021

  • Who’s Cueing Whom

    Open Access•Marco R Steenbergen, Erica E Edwards et al.•European Union Politics•2007

  • The tie that divides

    Open Access•Sean J Westwood, Sean Westwood et al.•European Journal of Political…•2018

  • A problem with empirical studies of party policy shifts

    Open Access•James Adams, James E Adams et al.•European Journal of Political…•2019

  • The Way we Were

    Open Access•William Horne, James Adams et al.•Comparative Political Studies•2023

  • How “Us” and “Them” Relates to Voting Behavior—Social Structure, Social Identities, and Electoral Choice

    Open Access•Simón Bornschier, Silja Häusermann et al.•Comparative Political Studies•2021

  • Party Competition and Cooperation Shape Affective Polarization

    Open Access•Lotem Bassan-Nygate, Chagai M Wei•Comparative Political Studies•2022

  • Populism as a Problem of Social Integration

    Open Access•Noam Gidron, P A Hall•Comparative Political Studies•2020

  • Studying Populism in Comparative Perspective

    Open Access•Cas Mudde, Cristóbal Rovira Kaltwasser•Comparative Political Studies•2018

  • The Policy Basis of Measured Partisan Animosity in the United States

    Open Access•Lilla V Orr, Gregory A Huber•American Journal of Political…•2020

  • Source Cues, Partisan Identities, and Political Value Expression

    Open Access•Paul Goren, Christopher M Federico et al.•American Journal of Political…•2009

  • Perceptions of Partisan Ideologies

    Open Access•David Fortunato, Randolph T Stevenson•American Journal of Political…•2013

  • Divided by the Vote

    Open Access•Sara B Hobolt, Thomas J Leeper et al.•British Journal of Political…•2021

  • The Origins and Consequences of Affective Polarization in the United States

    Sharad Iyengar, Yphtach Lelkes et al.•Annual Review of Political Science•2018

  • Affect, Not Ideology

    Sharad Iyengar, Shanto Iyengar et al.•Public Opinion Quarterly•2012

  • Toward a Theory of Pernicious Polarization and How It Harms Democracies

    Open Access•Jennifer Mccoy, Murat Somer•The Annals of the American…•2019

  • The politics of social status

    Open Access•Noam Gidron, P A Hall•British Journal of Sociology•2017

  • Anti-elite politics and emotional reactions to socio-economic problems

    Open Access•Paul Marx•British Journal of Sociology•2020

  • Ticking all the boxes? A comparative study of social sorting and affective polarization

    Open Access•Eelco Harteveld•Electoral Studies•2021

  • Mass Partisan Polarization

    Open Access•Alban Lauka, Jennifer Mccoy et al.•American Behavioral Scientist•2018

  • Affective polarization in multiparty systems

    Open Access•Markus Wagner•Electoral Studies•2021

  • How partisan affect shapes citizens' perception of the political world

    Open Access•Dalston G Ward, M Tavits•Electoral Studies•2019

  • Affective polarization and the salience of elections

    Open Access•Enrique Hernández, Eva Anduiza et al.•Electoral Studies•2021

  • Fragmented foes

    Open Access•Eelco Harteveld•Electoral Studies•2021

  • Demonisation and electoral support for populist radical right parties

    Open Access•Sjoerdje Charlotte Van Heerden, Wouter Van Der Brug•Electoral Studies•2017

  • Can't We All Just Get Along? How Women MPs Can Ameliorate Affective Polarization in Western Publics

    Open Access•James Adams, David Bracken et al.•American Political Science Review•2023

  • Moral Power

    Open Access•Paul Goren, Christopher Chapp et al.•American Political Science Review•2017

  • Attributing Policy Influence under Coalition Governance

    Open Access•David Fortunato, Nick C N Lin et al.•American Political Science Review•2021

  • Quantifying Political Relationships

    Open Access•Simon Weschle•American Political Science Review•2018

Unique citing works99
Citations per year24,75
Citation span2022 - 2026 (5)
Citation velocitycurrent
Highly citedNo
Citation typesNeutral: 96
Ethnos_APP • Open Source Project • MIT License • Frontend v2.0.0 • Privacy and Cookies • API Documentation: api.ethnos.app/docs • API Source Code: GitHub • DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.17049435 • Frontend Source Code: GitHub • DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.17050053 • cruz.rio.br • Expectantes Misericordiae