"Young democrats, critical citizens and protest voters: studying the profiles of movement party supporters" by Felipe G. Santos and Dan Mercea, published in January 2024.
The article “Young democrats, critical citizens and protest voters: studying the profiles of movement party supporters” by Felipe G. Santos and Dan Mercea, published in January 2024, explores the evolving landscape of party politics in Europe through the lens of movement parties. This paper uses survey data from six European countries to analyze the supporters of these parties, categorizing them into four types: green/left-libertarian, far-right, eclectic, and centrist.
Key findings from the study include:
- A shared belief among all movement party supporters in the efficacy of protests as a form of political influence.
- Green/left-libertarian voters are marked by a generational divide, engaging both electorally and non-electorally to push for post-industrial demands.
- Far-right supporters exhibit significant discontent with the democratic system and political elites, aligning with the characteristics typically associated with ‘protest voters’.
- Centrist and eclectic supporters fit the ‘critical citizens’ profile, showing support for democracy but expressing dissatisfaction with its current operations.
- The authors argue that while movement parties represent an innovative approach to party organization, understanding voter behavior within these parties requires recognizing the varied motivations of their supporters.
This analysis enhances the understanding of dynamic shifts in European party politics, challenging traditional conceptions and emphasizing the complexity of voter profiles within these emergent party structures. For further details, you can access the full text of the article on the publisher’s website here: https://link.springer.
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