How Much Polarisation Can Democracy Bear?

How Much Polarisation Can Democracy Bear?

• Editorial

  “The crushed centre” – this was the headline of the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung at the end of June in the context of the first round of the French parliamentary elections. It depicted a lilac-coloured Macaron whose filling groaned under the pressure of the surrounding pastry elements. That same day, the Economist wrote: “France’s Centre Cannot Hold”. In the background, the magazine showed the French national flag, the tricolour. But the centre stripe was missing.

  by Gerhard Wahlers

• “Many Voters See the Political Fringes as the Last Chance for Change”

  A conversation with the France experts Anja Czymmeck and Nele Wissmann

  In an interview with International Reports, France experts Anja Czymmeck and Nele Wissmann discuss the rise of the populists, the situation of the traditional parties and the country’s lack of a culture of compromise.

  by Sören Soika, Fabian Wagener

• Polarised, but Present

  The Political Centre in Spain

  A uniform “political centre” or even a centrist party does not exist in Spain. The major parties clearly position themselves as centre-left or centre-right. Over the decades, this moderate degree of polarisation has not harmed Spanish democracy, and has in fact stabilised it. In recent years, however, polarisation has reached a point where it is eroding the country’s democratic institutions. Some of the factors driving this development are heterogeneous social values, separatism – and, not least, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez.

  by Ludger Gruber, Martin Friedek

• Polarise and Rule!

  Dysfunctionalities in the Georgian Political System

  Polarisation is one of the greatest defects of the young Georgian democracy. When Georgia applied to join the EU in March 2022, the country was given a European perspective along with twelve recommendations. The most important point: political de-polarisation. However, the government and the opposition were unwilling to recognise the problem, let alone address it.

  by Stephan Malerius

• Rise, Fall and Repeat

  The Story of Centrism in India

  There have been notable changes in India’s political landscape over recent decades, with the rise of Hindu nationalism and social polarisation overshadowing longstanding centrist traditions and eroding important components of the “world’s largest democracy”. Will the results of the 2024 election be an opportunity to return to a more moderate approach?

  by Lewe Paul, Ashutosh Nagda

• The Indispensable Centre

  Political Parties and the Milei Government in Argentina

  After years of being under the radar, Argentine politics suddenly became a topic of interest with Javier Milei winning the presidency. The eccentric radical libertarian’s uncompromising plans for reform and his outrage at the “political caste” received worldwide attention. In reality, he has had difficulties implementing his drastic measures without the established political players. The defeated centrist parties have been put to the test and pushed to decide whether and how they wish to cooperate with the Milei government.

  by Jana Lajsic

• Crisis as an Opportunity

  The Potential of Moderate Forces in Chile

  Chile has long been regarded as a model country in Latin America. However, social unrest, the decline in economic growth as well as the increase in organised crime and disenchantment with political parties have contributed to the political polarisation and fragmentation of society in recent years. With the Christian Democratic Party, a traditionally moderate player in the Chilean party system has also moved away from the centre towards the left. Who can fill this vacant space?

  by Olaf Jacob

• The Pink Galaxy

  How Left-wing Authoritarian Networks Are Infiltrating Latin America’s Democracies and Damaging the Political Centre

  “Progressive” politicians from Latin America in lockstep with Kremlin nationalists, Chinese communists and representatives of the Iranian mullah regime: This unlikely alliance can be explained by the common rejection of “US imperialism”, “neoliberalism” – and ultimately the liberal-democratic Western model of society. The authoritarian left in Latin America is increasingly operating as a transnational structure that explicitly recognises external authoritarian regimes as allies. Domestically, the actions of this “pink galaxy” in the countries of the region are leading to the erosion of the political centre and ultimately of democracy.

  by Sebastian Grundberger