Destructive Polarisation around the World: Symptoms and Pathways to Democratic Resilience

Democracies worldwide are increasingly struggling with the challenges posed by rising levels of political and societal polarisation. Key issues—such as climate change, public health crises, and widening inequalities—are becoming increasingly difficult to resolve as public discourse fractures into hostile and irreconcilable divisions. While polarisation manifests differently depending on political systems and cultural contexts, comparative research on its causes and effects remains both underdeveloped and, at times, inconsistent. This panel aims to lay crucial groundwork for comparative research by deepening our understanding of when and how polarisation crosses the threshold into destructive territory, thereby threatening the very foundations of democratic public spheres.
Focusing on communication within democratic systems, the panel examines the escalation of various forms of polarisation—whether ideological, affective, or perceived—to levels that pose serious risks to democratic stability. The panel explores the symptoms that signal when polarisation becomes detrimental, destabilising democratic institutions and processes.
This panel brings together leading scholars who have developed key theoretical frameworks, such as political sectarianism, pernicious and destructive polarisation, and the illiberal public sphere. Together, they investigate how polarisation manifests and affects democracies across a diverse range of political landscapes, including those in the United States, Europe, and Australia. Through an examination of case studies and comparative work, the panel aims to identify the key symptoms or indicators of destructive polarisation and discuss solutions for mitigating its harmful effects. In doing so, the panel offers insights into fostering more resilient and sustainable democratic public spheres in an era of intensifying political divisions.