Contextual perceived group threat and radical right-wing populist party preferences: Evidence from Switzerland. (1st March 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Berning, Carl C.
• Is Part Of: Research & politics. Volume 3:Number 1(2016)
• Publication Date: 2016-03-01
• Subjects: Radical right-wing populist parties -- perceived group threat -- multilevel structural equation modeling -- ideological climate -- subnational comparison; Political science -- Periodicals; 320.05
• DOI: 10.1177/2053168016635670
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2053-1680

Abstract

Existing studies suggest that perceived group threat is an important influence on radical right-wing populist party preferences. However, most have focused on perceived group threat at the individual level, overlooking the ideological climate. I examine how an ideological climate of group threat perception as a contextual factor can shape individual preferences for radical right-wing populist party preferences. I argue that above and beyond personal perceived group threat, the prevalence of local perceived group threat exerts a normative influence on personal preferences. Using voting preferences for the Swiss People's Party, I employ multilevel structural equation modeling to examine the theoretical model. I find clear evidence for a contextual effect of perceived group threat on individual-level Swiss People's Party preferences.