The class basis of Switzerland's cleavage between the New Left and the Populist Right

Détails

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Etat: Public
Version: Final published version
ID Serval
serval:BIB_270DC612294C
Type
Article: article d'un périodique ou d'un magazine.
Collection
Publications
Titre
The class basis of Switzerland's cleavage between the New Left and the Populist Right
Périodique
Swiss Political Science Review
Auteur⸱e⸱s
Oesch D., Rennwald L.
ISSN
1424-7755
Statut éditorial
Publié
Date de publication
2010
Peer-reviewed
Oui
Volume
16
Numéro
3
Pages
343-372
Langue
anglais
Résumé
This article argues that a full grown cleavage has surfaced in Swiss politics, separating a libertarian-universalistic (the New Left) from a traditionalist-communitarian camp (the Populist Right). Based on survey data of Switzerland's parliamentary election 2007, it examines the cleavage's micro-foundations and shows that the class constituencies of the New Left (the Social-Democratic and Green Parties) and the Populist Right (the Swiss People's Party) present the almost exact mirror image of each other. The former draws disproportionate support from the salaried middle class, notably socio-cultural professionals, whereas the latter is rallied by small business owners, production and service workers. Although anchored in the employment structure, this divide is not primarily about the economy and resources, but about culture and identity. It thus strongly correlates with opposing cultural attitudes. While small business owners and workers prefer cultural demarcation and defend national traditions, salaried professionals strongly favour international integration and multi-culturalism.
Mots-clé
Class Voting, Cleavage, Middle Class, Working Class, Populist Right-Wing Parties, New Lef
Création de la notice
09/12/2010 12:45
Dernière modification de la notice
20/08/2019 14:05
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