Project Overview

The EPADE (Elections, Affective Polarization and Democratic Erosion) project examines how elections increase affective polarization and how this impacts citizens' attitudes and behaviors toward their political systems. Through a comprehensive comparative approach, EPADE studies the relationship between electoral processes, political intermediation, and democratic support across multiple countries.

Principal Investigator: Mariano Torcal (Universitat Pompeu Fabra)

Research Objectives

The project pursues three main objectives:

  1. Study affective polarization dynamics: Examine the level and patterns of change in affective polarization during elections in European and Latin American democracies.
  2. Evaluate political intermediation: Analyze the evolving landscape of political intermediation—including personalization of politics, social media, and populist parties—and its impact on polarization.
  3. Assess democratic resilience

Methodology

EPADE conducts three-wave panel surveys around national elections:

  • Wave 1: One to two months before the election
  • Wave 2: Immediately after the election
  • Wave 3: Three to four months post-election

The project utilizes online panels with experimental components to study causal mechanisms and individual-level changes in affective polarization, democratic attitudes, and political behavior.

Countries and Status

Completed Studies:

  • Germany (2025 federal election) – Three panel waves completed
  • Portugal (2025 legislative election) – Three panel waves completed

In Progress:

  • Chile – Third wave in programming phase
  • Netherlands – Third wave in programming phase

Upcoming:

  • Peru – General elections, April 12, 2026
  • Colombia – Presidential elections, May 31, 2026

Planned:

  • Spain
  • Italy
  • France

Partners and Sponsors

  • Research and Expertise Centre for Survey Methodology (RECSM), Universitat Pompeu Fabra
  • Korbel School of International Studies, University of Denver
  • Departamento Académico de Ciencias Sociales, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú
  • Escuela de Comunicación y Periodismo, Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez, Chile
  • The Mershon Center, Ohio State University

Data and Publications

All data collected through EPADE are made publicly available through the Open Science Framework (OSF) and other recognized data repositories. The project aims to advance our understanding of affective polarization, democratic attitudes, and electoral behaviour in today's democracies.