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The Asymmetrical Effect of Polarization on Support for Independence: The Case of Catalonia

Author

Listed:
  • Juan Rodríguez-Teruel

    (Department of Constitutional Law, Political and Administrative Sciences, University of Valencia, Spain)

  • Astrid Barrio

    (Department of Constitutional Law, Political and Administrative Sciences, University of Valencia, Spain)

Abstract

The article analyses the consequences of elite polarization at the mass level in the centre-periphery dimension. We analyse the rapid rise in support for independence in Catalonia, focusing on the role of party competition around the centre-periphery cleavage. We argue that mainstream actors’ adoption of centrifugal party strategies with respect to the national question produced a polarizing dynamic in the party system that eventually caused voters’ attitudes regarding the centre-periphery issue to harden. Indeed, we posit that this increase in mass polarization was a consequence of party agency that subsequently helped to drive attitudes regarding independence. To test this hypothesis, we measure centre-periphery polarization (as perceived by voters) by adopting two different perspectives—inter-party distances (horizontal polarization) and party-voter distances (vertical polarization)—and then run logistic regressions to explain support for independence. The findings show an asymmetrical effect on polarization. While the centrifugal strategy implemented by Catalan regionalist parties paved the way for a radicalization of voters on the Catalan nationalist side, among voters for non-regionalist parties, attitudes towards independence were initially less conditioned by this polarization. The results provide evidence of the political effects of elite polarization.

Suggested Citation

  • Juan Rodríguez-Teruel & Astrid Barrio, 2021. "The Asymmetrical Effect of Polarization on Support for Independence: The Case of Catalonia," Politics and Governance, Cogitatio Press, vol. 9(4), pages 412-425.
    • Handle: RePEc:cog:poango:v9:y:2021:i:4:p:412-425
    DOI: 10.17645/pag.v9i4.4627
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Guillem Rico & Robert Liñeira, 2014. "Bringing Secessionism into the Mainstream: The 2012 Regional Election in Catalonia," South European Society and Politics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 19(2), pages 257-280, April.
    2. Brais Álvarez Pereira & Martín Portos & John Vourdas, 2018. "Waving goodbye? The determinants of autonomism and secessionism in Western Europe," Regional Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 52(2), pages 197-211, February.
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    Cited by:

    1. Ferran Requejo & Marc Sanjaume-Calvet, 2021. "Explaining Secessionism: What Do We Really Know About It?," Politics and Governance, Cogitatio Press, vol. 9(4), pages 371-375.

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