Affective Polarisation: An Interplay of Emotions and Party Types

This study examines the relationship between emotions elicited by political leaders and affective polarisation towards partisan groups, focusing on the role of radical-right populist parties in leveraging emotions to challenge mainstream political norms. Building on theories of emotion as heuristics, this research hypothesizes that both positive (hope) and negative (disgust) emotions shape perceptions of in- and out-partisans. Specifically, it posits that leaders of radical-right parties amplify affective polarization by intensifying emotional reactions, while mainstream parties moderate these effects. Using longitudinal data from five countries (Argentina, Chile, Italy, Portugal, and Spain) collected across three waves, multilevel regression models reveal distinct patterns. Hope elicited by in-party leaders is associated with greater affinity for co-partisans, an effect heightened when the in-party belongs to the radical right. Conversely, disgust toward out-party leaders predicts increased animosity toward their voters, with radical-right affiliations exacerbating this hostility. Notably, governing mainstream parties may present an exception: disgust toward their leaders also heightens animosity toward their voters. These findings highlight the varying impact of party types and leadership styles on affective polarisation, shedding light on how emotions reinforce political divisions and power dynamics. The study underscores the implications of these emotional mechanisms for democratic cohesion and the stability of inter-group relationships in polarised societies.