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Crisis and Convergence: How the Combination of a Weak Economy and Mainstream Party Ideological De-Polarization Fuels Anti-System Support
[journal article]
Abstract When do radical parties gain support? Previous studies cite the economy and mainstream party ideological convergence as important. Responding to earlier inconsistent findings, I provide evidence for an interactive approach. Anti-system parties succeed when mainstream parties are simultaneously presi... view more
When do radical parties gain support? Previous studies cite the economy and mainstream party ideological convergence as important. Responding to earlier inconsistent findings, I provide evidence for an interactive approach. Anti-system parties succeed when mainstream parties are simultaneously presiding over an ailing economy and failing to provide the diversity of political opinion for the electorate to meaningfully challenge the policies associated with this malaise, through which dissatisfaction with the status quo could otherwise be channeled. Two studies support this "crisis and convergence" model. At the aggregate-level, the anti-system vote is strongest during times of negative economic growth and widespread mainstream party ideological de-polarization. At the voter-level, the link between negative economic evaluations and radical party voting is stronger during establishment convergence and, vice versa, personal perceptions of convergence are themselves more closely related to support for these parties when the macroeconomy is sickly. Mainstream party homogeneity radicalizes the economic vote and strengthens anti-system challengers.... view less
Keywords
polarization; radicalism; party; competition; economic factors; political ideology
Classification
Political Process, Elections, Political Sociology, Political Culture
Free Keywords
anti-system parties; economic voting; radical politics; party competition; CSES - Comparative Study of Electoral Systems
Document language
English
Publication Year
2021
Page/Pages
p. 1256-1291
Journal
Comparative political studies, 54 (2021) 7
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1177/0010414020970222
ISSN
1552-3829
Status
Published Version; peer reviewed