Virtual icon The Polarisation of Immigration in Europe: Who, Where and With Which Consequences for Democratic Politics

Abstract

Immigration and the social and cultural diversity that it generates is one of the core polarising issues in democratic politics. The politicisation of immigration and citizen discontent around how migration and migration-related diversity are viewed by scholars and pundits as fueling support for populist radical right parties as well as declining confidence in democratic institutions and democratic politics more generally. Drawing on results from the Horizon Europe project ActEU for 10 EU countries, this lecture discusses the role of immigration in driving polarisation and democratic malaise in Europe. The lecture focuses on understanding, from a comparative perspective, who is sensitive to polarisation around immigration, how does this vary across countries, and what are the consequences for democratic attitudes and political behaviour.