Contemporary democracies, especially in Europe, face challenges arising from political polarization that often exceeds the classic left-right axis. The UN Human Development Report 2023/24, which cites this line of research, highlights how modern conflicts manifest themselves through complex multilateral tensions rather than simple binary divisions. Understanding these tensions requires identifying the true axes of conflict that arise in complex multi-party systems.
This line of research develops methodologies based on large-scale social interaction data and surveys to reveal the actual configurations of polarization, without assuming predefined ideological categories. We propose an innovative model of multidimensional opinion space that offers a new theoretical framework for quantitatively measuring multilateral tensions and latent social divisions in these systems. In this way, we explore the deep structures of belief systems that underlie social and political fragmentation, providing a more accurate view of how and why these divisions emerge. In current projects, we investigate the connection between belief structures and political tensions to explain the origin of social conflicts. This knowledge is key to designing effective strategies that foster dialogue, social cohesion, and democratic stability in multipolar contexts.
References:
- S. Martin-Gutierrez, J. M. Robles Morales, M. Torcal, J. C. Losada and R. M. Benito, “In-party love spreads more efficiently than out-party hate in online communities”, Scientific Reports 14, 15700 (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-65688-9
- S. Martin-Gutierrez, J. C. Losada and R. M. Benito, “Multipolar social systems: Measuring polarization beyond dichotomous contexts”, Chaos, Solitons & Fractals 169, 113244 (2023). DOI: 10.1016/j.chaos.2023.113244
DEFE Researcher: Samuel Martín Gutiérrez