Partisan Animosity and Democratic Attitudes: Insights from Turkey

Rising partisan animosity is reshaping the foundations of democratic governance, eroding public commitment to democratic norms. While previous studies have extensively examined the effects of partisan animosity in established democracies, this study extends the analysis to a competitive authoritarian context, focusing on Turkey. Using a nationally representative survey data, we investigate how partisan animosity shapes support for violations of core democratic principles, particularly in areas related to civil liberties and electoral fairness. The findings reveal that individuals with heightened partisan animosity are significantly more likely to endorse actions that undermine democratic norms when these actions disadvantage their political opponents. These results underscore the deepening divide in democratic societies, where partisan loyalty increasingly outweighs normative commitments to equality and fairness. By situating these findings within the unique dynamics of competitive authoritarianism, this study provides valuable insights into the interplay between affective polarization and democratic backsliding, offering a comparative perspective that bridges gaps in the existing literature, laying the groundwork for future research and intervention strategies.