In person icon Territorial Politics, National Identity, and Electoral Dynamics: Shaping Party Systems and Political Behaviour

Abstract

This panel explores the dynamic relationship between territorial politics, national identity, and electoral behaviour across diverse political contexts. It examines how territorial conflicts, party system polarisation, and the emergence of new political movements influence voter behaviour, party competition, and the structuring of party systems. Key themes include the interplay between national sovereignty debates and party system dynamics, focusing on how constitutional issues can reshape electoral landscapes and constrain the rise of radical political movements. The panel also examines the process of affective depolarisation in post-conflict societies, particularly in regions where national identity issues have previously been highly divisive. Another central discussion explores gendered campaign strategies in referendums and elections, focusing on how political actors use gendered messaging to influence voter behaviour. This examination highlights the broader implications of gender dynamics in multi-level governance systems, where territorial autonomy and power distribution are critical issues. The panel further investigates how political parties in federal systems navigate the tension between maintaining programmatic coherence and adapting to regional electorates. It explores how parties' ideological positioning at various levels of government affects electoral competition and party system stability. Finally, the impact of new political parties on party system nationalisation is examined, with a focus on how the emergence of challenger parties and new mainstream movements can alter the geographic distribution of electoral support, with important consequences for political cohesion and party competition. Together, these discussions provide a deeper understanding of the factors shaping political behaviour and party systems in multi-level states, offering valuable insights into the role of territorial identity, party strategies, and electoral dynamics in contemporary democracies.

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