Talk:
\n\u201cAffective Polarization and Democratic Erosion: The Role of Electoral Accountability\u201d<\/p>\n
by
\nSelim Erdem Ayta\u00e7
\nKo\u00e7 University
\nsaytac@ku.edu.tr<\/p>\n
Date and Room Info
\nTuesday, April 21, 2026, 12:30 p.m.
\nA-130<\/p>\n
Abstract<\/p>\n
Democratic backsliding has become a global concern, and affective polarization is widely seen as a key driver. Yet evidence remains inconclusive: observational studies reveal strong correlations, but experimental interventions reducing polarization have failed to strengthen democratic attitudes. We revisit this question by distinguishing between two pathways through which polarization may undermine democracy: eroding citizens\u2019 democratic values (attitudinal) or weakening their willingness to punish norm-violating politicians (accountability). Drawing on a population-based survey experiment in Turkey, we test both pathways. We find that reducing affective polarization does not alter support for democratic principles but significantly increases citizens\u2019 willingness to punish norm-violating politicians. These effects hold across government and opposition supporters and are robust to different types of violations. Our results provide experimental evidence of a causal link between affective polarization and democratic erosion, suggesting that partisan animosity may undermine democracy primarily by weakening electoral accountability rather than eroding democratic values.<\/p>\n
Short Bio<\/p>\n
Selim Erdem Ayta\u00e7 is an associate professor in the Department of International Relations at Ko\u00e7 University. Dr. Ayta\u00e7\u2019s research interests lie in political behavior with a focus on electoral accountability, political participation, polarization, and democratic erosion. He is the coauthor (with Susan Stokes) of Why Bother? Rethinking Participation in Elections and Protests published by Cambridge University Press in 2019. Dr. Ayta\u00e7 serves as the Principle Investigator of the ERC project \u201cDEPOLARIZE\u201d from 2023 to 2028.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Talk: \u201cAffective Polarization and Democratic Erosion: The Role of Electoral Accountability\u201d by Selim Erdem Ayta\u00e7 Ko\u00e7 University saytac@ku.edu.tr Date and Room Info Tuesday, April 21, 2026, 12:30 p.m. A-130 Abstract Democratic backsliding has become a global concern, and affective polarization is widely seen as a key driver. Yet evidence remains [\u2026] <\/p>\n