In person icon The Urban/Rural Divide

Abstract

In the 21st century, the rural/urban divide has become a pivotal dimension shaping political, economic, and social landscapes worldwide. Moving beyond a simple geographical demarcation, it represents a deepening chasm in political identities, economic opportunities, and social values. Rapid urbanization, rural depopulation, and technological change have intensified this divide, contributing to the erosion of traditional political cleavages and the reshaping of party systems. Where once class or religion may have structured political allegiance, today’s rural and urban areas increasingly define polarized constituencies, creating a landscape marked by volatile and fractionalized party systems. This panel features papers that explore the rural/urban divide from a variety of theoretical and methodological perspectives in political science. Contributions may investigate how this divide contributes to party fragmentation, the emergence of new political movements, and shifts in voter behavior. How does the rural/urban divide challenge the stability and coherence of political parties? Studies examining these questions from various angles—such as voting patterns, party realignment, and the rise of populism—are essential to understanding the dynamics underlying the ongoing reconfiguration of political systems. We also welcome submissions that delve into the policy and governance consequences of this divide. How do rural and urban areas differ in their access to public services, infrastructure investment, and resource allocation? What impact do these inequalities have on perceptions of democratic legitimacy and governance effectiveness? Papers that explore the politics of resource distribution, rural advocacy, and urban biases in policymaking can offer valuable insights into the often-overlooked grievances shaping rural political mobilization. By inviting scholars from diverse subfields—such as political economy, comparative politics, political geography, public policy, and sociology—this panel seeks to foster an interdisciplinary dialogue on the rural/urban divide and its political consequences. We encourage innovative methodological approaches, including spatial analysis, ethnographic research, and large-scale surveys, to deepen our understanding of how the rural/urban divide both shapes and is shaped by global and national forces. This panel aims to illuminate the implications of a shifting rural/urban divide in a time of political instability and party system fragmentation. Through new perspectives on the causes and consequences of this divide, as well as potential avenues for mitigating it, we aspire to generate meaningful insights into one of today’s most pressing political and social challenges.

Title	Details
Local Government in Portugal and Civil Society Organizations: Who Represents Citizens and Territories?	View Paper Details
Voluntary Mayors as Mediators Towards Democratic Resilience? Bridging Local Governance and Civic Engagement in Rural Municipalities in Germany	View Paper Details
Listening to Rural Voices: Understanding and Mitigating Rural Resentment Through a Citizen Council in a Real-World Experimental Study	View Paper Details
Government Support to Community-Led Innovation in Rural and Peripheral Europe	View Paper Details
From Fields to Skylines: Investigating the Urban-Rural Divide in Belgium	View Paper Details