Democratic conflict and polarization | Economics. For Society.

Are democratic conflict and polarization healthy or harmful?

The question is based on the various developments in #Western #democracies over the past decade that have sparked worries about political stability. Standing out are the rise of radical political parties, heated #polarization around questions of #immigration, #nationalism, or social #liberalism, and – in some cases – attacks on democratic institutions.

However, conflict and choice between clearly distinctive alternative ideas of how societies and economies should be governed are at the heart of democracy. Democracy needs competition and conflict. But where is the line between healthy and harmful conflict and polarization?

Download our free Public Paper written by Silja Häusermann and Simon Bornschier via link in bio.

#EconomicsForSociety #UZH #shareubs @uzhch @UBS @ubsschweiz @UZHDepartmentofEconomics_ECON @uzh-oec