Resisting Autocratization: Opposition Strategy and Depolarization

• In Event: Poster Session: Polarization, Cues and Information, and Public Opinion

Abstract

A rising agreement in the literature is that the reduction of political polarization levels is pivotal to deterring the autocratization process. However, limited empirical studies have systematically shown how political polarization can be reduced. This paper directly tackles this academic void by asking which democratic opposition forces’ strategies can effectively produce a depolarization effect. To test the heterogenous effects of various opposition strategies, I conduct a conjoint survey experiment in Brazil, which is one of the top autocratization countries in the world, where the levels of polarization increased substantially in this decade. With about 1,200 respondents, I evaluate if the message opposition forces send, or the nature of opposition campaigns can either deepen or lighten societal division created by anti-pluralist leaders. The findings contribute to improving our understanding of the causes of polarization and provide potential treatments for it. The empirical findings from the research also provide policy implications to resist the current wave of autocratization.

Author

• Yuko Sato, Waseda Institute for Advanced Study (WIAS)