Perception of polarization among political representatives

Intense political conflict and polarization among political actors is one of the greatest democratic challenges of our time. While parties representing distinct political alternatives are a prerequisite for a functioning representative democracy – there is a risk that conflicts grow too extreme and that parties standing too far apart and are unwilling to compromise could bring democratic work to an unacceptable standstill. Earlier studies also indicate that polarization among people and political elites foster a negative view of, or even animosity towards, political opponents. In order to handle polarized situations constructively, some formula for political empathy for an opponent’s point of view is needed. This paper aims to explore politicians’ perceptions of polarization, to what extent this can be explained by partisanship and trust and what effects it has for antagonistic behaviour in the political work. The results indicate that politicians’ perception of polarization in part can be explained by partisanship and that perceptions of polarization has important effects for antagonistic behaviour. To be a political winner (in a ruling party coalition) or loser (in opposition) constitutes a social identity that fosters partisanship, affecting politicians’ perceptions. Politicians who are winners tend to perceive polarization as being of a lower magnitude. But trust does not seem to affect perception of polarization. This knowledge regarding the importance of individual perception of polarization – which factors shape such perceptions and how it is related to antagonistic behaviour – offers insights into how democratic work could be strengthened. Even though it is essential for a democracy that political representatives display their disagreements openly, there needs to be a balance between harmony and war for democracy to function. A healthy democracy demands that political actors display a certain degree of interpersonal understanding of the perspectives of others – and that it is sometimes better to respectfully agree to disagree than to go to war. The study is based on data from a survey conducted among all councillors in the 290 municipalities in Sweden. This study is also important as it places focus on the political arena that is closest to citizens: municipalities. And as many local politicians are not fulltime salaried politicians, they are also actors of special significance as they are in the dual position of being both politicians and citizens.