In person icon Spatial Divides, Political Trust, Governance Preferences and Party Positions

Abstract

This panel examines the intricate relationships between spatial divides, political trust, and governance preferences within multi-level political systems. Focusing on urban-rural and center-periphery divides, the panel explores how these spatial distinctions shape citizens' political identities, values, electoral behaviors, and perceptions of governance. By investigating both geographic and institutional dimensions, the panel offers a comprehensive analysis of how citizens' regional and national identities influence their engagement with politics, the quality of representation, and their trust in different levels of government. Key themes include the effects of spatial identification on political behavior, exploring how rural and peripheral regions experience feelings of marginalization and how this shapes their electoral preferences. Additionally, the panel examines the role of trust in determining preferences for governance structures, with a focus on how relative trust in national versus regional governments impacts support for different levels of authority across a variety of policy domains, such as healthcare, environmental protection, and agriculture. The panel also delves into the position of mainstream parties on issues of decentralisation.

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