Enemy Mine: Affective Polarization and Satisfaction with Democracy

• In Event: Voters and Parties: Explorations of Polarization & Competence using CSES

Abstract

There is robust literature on the effect of elections on citizens’ satisfaction with democracy. Several studies show losers are less satisfied with democracy than winners and that the structure of the government can mitigate or magnify the satisfaction gap between winners and losers. I introduce into this literature concerns about political polarization, which has been increasing in recent decades. Using two measures of affective polarization and the 3rd wave of the Comparative Survey of Electoral Systems, I show that increasing social distance between parties decreases citizens’ satisfaction with democracy. These measures are how much citizens (dis)like the parties in power and whether they would never vote for a certain party. I show that parliamentary systems reduce the negative impact of polarization on satisfaction and that interparty affect moderates that satisfaction gap between electoral winners and losers. I also introduce preliminary evidence that dissatisfied citizens are less committed democrats, which suggests that affective polarization presents a risk for undermining democracy.

Author

• Hannah Ridge