Affective Polarization: A Challenge for Electoral Democracy?

We are inviting scholars of electoral competition, public opinion, and political representation, to apply to the workshop “Affective Polarization: A Challenge for Electoral Democracy?”. We welcome all submissions that address some aspect of the phenomenon of affective polarization and its impact on electoral competition and political representation. Papers can focus on the nature of affective polarization, its causes, or consequences. We are open to all types of papers in terms of methodological approaches and regional focus, including both case studies and comparative approaches. The workshop will take place shortly after the French presidential election, and a few weeks before the legislative elections. This will also be an opportunity to discuss how the study of affective polarization allows understanding some of the recent developments in French public opinion and French politics. Submissions from doctoral students and junior scholars are strongly encouraged.

This event will be a two-day workshop, taking place at Sciences Po in Paris. It will start in the early afternoon of May 20, and end in the afternoon of May 21. There is no registration fee, and we will cover the costs of the shared meals. Financial support for travel and accommodation is available for junior scholars.

To submit a proposal, send a title and abstract of maximum of 300 words to Ruth Dassonneville (ruth.dassonneville@umontreal.ca) and Romain Lachat (romain.lachat@sciencespo.fr), by 28 February 28, 2022. Decisions on accepted papers will be sent in early March.