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Studying the Globalization Cleavage - Conceptual and Empirical Challenges

Alexander Pries

Kommentar

The weakening social base of established parties, new political issues such as immigration, climate change, and European integration, and the rise of new party families such as the New Left and Radical Right have reshaped party systems across Western Europe. One prominent explanation is the emergence of a new political cleavage between the "winners" and "losers" of globalization. However, some argue that these transformations result from more individualized voting behaviour rather than a fundamental restructuring of society. Adding to the complexity, definitions of political cleavages can vary significantly. This raises a critical issue: If we lack conceptual clarity, how can we confidently assess whether globalization has created a new political cleavage?

Thus, this seminar is structured into three main parts. We begin by dissecting the concept of political cleavages: What are their key components? What mechanisms drive their formation? What are their political consequences? We explore how scholars identify cleavages empirically in different Regions (Western, Eastern Europe, and Latin America) and why different definitions may lead to different findings. Next, we examine globalization as a potential driver of political division: How is globalization defined in this debate, and what are its effects on cleavages? In the final part of the course, we ask: Have scholars successfully identified a globalization cleavage, or are there weaknesses in the argument when we apply a "thicker" definition? By the end of this course, students will gain a clearer understanding of these debates and develop skills in conceptual clarity, empirical analysis, and critical assessment of social research. Schließen

14 Termine

Regelmäßige Termine der Lehrveranstaltung

Di, 16:00 - 18:00 14 Termine

Di, 15.04.2025 16:00 - 18:00

Dozenten:
Alexander Pries