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The structure of political conflict in Western democracies is in a process of change. In this context, there are widespread concerns that a new `culture war' spurred by polarizing identity politics could undermine political integration. While much research has focused on right-wing identity politics around immigration and nationalism, recent contributions discuss the potentially divisive character of left-wing projects. Critics raise the possibility that salient demands to overcome racial and gender inequality alienates particular groups of voters, including those from lower classes. Despite these discussions about a ‘conservative backlash’ (in academia and society), we still have a limited understanding of how these processes unfold. Does such backlash exist? If yes, which form does it take and what are its consequences? In particular, what does it mean for the way citizens engage with politics in everyday life? The talk discusses these questions based on an extensive data collection in Germany, where feminist political mobilization has recently gained salience in broader societal discourse. Combining experimental and qualitative methods, it treats conflicts about the use of gender-neutral language as a keyhole issue to trace how gender-equality backlash develops. Observing the way citizens discuss this potentially divisive topic tells us a lot about how cultural conflict influences political alienation, affective polarization and the willingness to express one’s views. On this basis, the talk reflects on the dynamics of ‘backlash processes’ and how they are shaped by the interplay of political entrepreneurs and experiences in everyday conversations.
About Paul Marx
Paul Marx is Professor of Political Economy at University of Bonn. He previously held positions at University of Southern Denmark as a Professor of Comparative Political Sociology and at University of Duisburg-Essen as a Professor of Socio-Economics and Political Economy.
Paul Marx joined IZA in 2008 as a resident research affiliate and later as a research associate. Since 2011, he is affiliated with IZA as a research fellow. His research interests are related to social and political inequality, political behaviour, comparative welfare state and labour market analysis, and the politics of taxation.
