Uniquement en allemand
Only in German
11.06.2025
Isabel Schuler
Isabel Schuler
Ivo Scherrer
Ivo Scherrer
Flurina Wäspi

Polarized Society, Threatened Democracy?

Polarized Society, Threatened Democracy?

How polarized is Switzerland? Which issues cause the greatest divisions? And when does polarization become a problem for democracy? In a representative survey, Pro Futuris explores polarization in Switzerland—and also asks what holds the country together despite all its differences. With our study, we aim to better understand along which issues and between which groups polarization occurs, and how it affects the behavior of the Swiss population.
How polarized is Switzerland? Which issues cause the greatest divisions? And when does polarization become a problem for democracy? In a representative survey, Pro Futuris explores polarization in Switzerland—and also asks what holds the country together despite all its differences. With our study, we aim to better understand along which issues and between which groups polarization occurs, and how it affects the behavior of the Swiss population.
How polarized is Switzerland? Which issues cause the greatest divisions? And when does polarization become a problem for democracy? In a representative survey, Pro Futuris explores polarization in Switzerland—and also asks what holds the country together despite all its differences. With our study, we aim to better understand along which issues and between which groups polarization occurs, and how it affects the behavior of the Swiss population.
How polarized is Switzerland? A study series by Pro Futuris examines which topics are divisive, when polarization becomes problematic—and what still unites society despite these differences. Part 3 of the study.
How polarized is Switzerland? A study series by Pro Futuris examines which topics are divisive, when polarization becomes problematic—and what still unites society despite these differences. Part 3 of the study.
How polarized is Switzerland? A study series by Pro Futuris examines which topics are divisive, when polarization becomes problematic—and what still unites society despite these differences. Part 3 of the study.

An analysis of Swiss citizens’ willingness to engage with opposing views, make political compromises, and accept disliked parties as part of democracy: Findings from Part 3 of the Study

Our study explores to what extent people are willing to engage with those who think differently, make political compromises, and accept even disliked parties as a legitimate part of democracy.

Exclusion instead of negotiation

37.7% of voters believe it would be better—or rather better—for Switzerland if the party they find most unsympathetic were excluded from the political process—no longer allowed to participate in elections or referenda. In addition, 35.1% support excluding this party from public discourse, such as debates or media appearances. Support for such exclusions is particularly common among people who feel socially disadvantaged, are strongly affectively polarized, or consider dialogue with opposing views to be of little value.

Dialogue is valued—in theory

76% of the population consider exchange with people of different political views to be valuable. Whether someone appreciates such dialogue depends heavily on their trust in others, interest in politics, and how important and meaningful they find it to live in a democracy and participate in elections. Affective polarization has the opposite effect: those who strongly favor their own political camp and strongly reject others are much less likely to perceive dialogue with opposing views as enriching.

What fosters—and hinders—willingness to compromise

Willingness to compromise is encouraged by trust in government and media, satisfaction with democracy, voluntary engagement, and appreciation for dialogue with differing views. People with strong affective polarization and/or a preference for the SVP tend to show less willingness to make political compromises.

Harmful affective polarization

The extent to which someone is emotionally polarized has a clearly negative impact on democracy: affective polarization reduces willingness to compromise, increases readiness to exclude the least-liked party from discourse and elections, and lowers the likelihood of valuing exchange with opposing views.

Partnerships

This project was implemented in collaboration with the following partners:
KPM Universität Bern
Together with the “E-Democracy” research group of the KPM Center for Public Management at the University of Bern, we conducted the representative population survey as part of the polarisation study series.
Mercator
The Mercator Switzerland Foundation supports and co-publishes the “Polarisation in Switzerland” study series and supports the projects “Companies for Democracy”, “Zukunftsrat U24” and its follow-up project.
KPM Universität Bern
Together with the “E-Democracy” research group of the KPM Center for Public Management at the University of Bern, we conducted the representative population survey as part of the polarisation study series.
Mercator
The Mercator Switzerland Foundation supports and co-publishes the “Polarisation in Switzerland” study series and supports the projects “Companies for Democracy”, “Zukunftsrat U24” and its follow-up project.
KPM Universität Bern
Together with the “E-Democracy” research group of the KPM Center for Public Management at the University of Bern, we conducted the representative population survey as part of the polarisation study series.
Mercator
The Mercator Switzerland Foundation supports and co-publishes the “Polarisation in Switzerland” study series and supports the projects “Companies for Democracy”, “Zukunftsrat U24” and its follow-up project.

Funding partnerships

Finanzierungs-partnerschaften

For the implementation of this project, we were able to count on the financial support of the following partners:
KPM Universität Bern
Together with the “E-Democracy” research group of the KPM Center for Public Management at the University of Bern, we conducted the representative population survey as part of the polarisation study series.
Mercator
The Mercator Switzerland Foundation supports and co-publishes the “Polarisation in Switzerland” study series and supports the projects “Companies for Democracy”, “Zukunftsrat U24” and its follow-up project.
Mercator Switzerland Foundation
The Mercator Switzerland Foundation supports and co-publishes the “Polarisation in Switzerland” study series and supports the projects “Companies for Democracy”, “Zukunftsrat U24” and its follow-up project.
Mercator
This is some text inside of a div block.
Media report
|
09.12.2025

La Liberté Interview mit Ivo Scherrer

La Liberté Interview mit Ivo Scherrer

La Suisse, si démocratique que ça? L’avis (et les nuances) de deux spécialistes
Opinion
|
15.09.2025

Demokratie ist ein wirtschaftlicher Standortfaktor, darum sollten sich auch Unternehmen engagieren

Demokratie ist ein wirtschaftlicher Standortfaktor, darum sollten sich auch Unternehmen engagieren

«Auch die Unternehmen sind «corporate citizens» und können Verantwortung für das Funktionieren des demokratischen Systems übernehmen.»
Opinion
|
04.09.2025

Vom Reden zum Verstehen - zur Umsetzung von Dialogprozessen

Vom Reden zum Verstehen - zur Umsetzung von Dialogprozessen

Ein Dialogprozess in einer Gemeinde oder einem Stadtteil ist mehr als eine gut gemeinte Einladung zum Gespräch. Er hilft, Spannungen zwischen verschiedenen Akteuren aus Zivilgesellschaft, Politik, Verwaltung und Wirtschaft zu klären. Doch wie gelingt die Umsetzung in der Praxis?
|
27.08.2025

Spielend die Zukunft gestalten

Spielend die Zukunft gestalten

Zum Tag der Demokratie öffnen wir am Donnerstag, den 18. September, unsere Türen und laden herzlich zu einem besonderen Community-Lunch ein.

Newsletter

Isabel Schuler
Ivo Scherrer