The textbook example of polarization enabling extremism is the party system of Weimar Germany and the rise of the Nazis. The Weimar party system was typified by clashes between political extremes (such as communism and fascism) that resulted in the collapse of more moderate parties and the increasing popularity of the Nazi party.

Example of Polarization and Extremism: Weimar Germany

Polarization is typically associated with a move towards different “poles” or extremes. Autocrats benefit from an electorate that is increasingly accepting of extremist viewpoints because that means people might be more likely to support antisystem candidates, such as would-be autocrats.

Wesleyan University

There are three key ways in which polarization benefits autocrats seeking power in within democracies:
- by reducing public trust in (democratic) government
- by enabling the rise of extremist parties
- by dividing the public in an autocrat's favor

How Polarization Benefits Autocrats

Haggard, S. & Kaufman, R. R. (2021). Backsliding: Democratic Regress in the Contemporary World. New York: Cambridge University Press.

Haggard & Kaufman (2021)

Polarization reduces cooperation among divergent political actors, in turn causing governments to be less effective at producing policy changes. The ineffectiveness of governments in turn causes the public to be disillusioned with public institutions, making them more susceptible to autocratic persuasions.

The Effect of Polarization on Trust and Governance

The Effect of Polarization on Enabling Extremism

Polarization—particularly affective polarization—often pits groups against each other in a “us vs. them” fashion. This division makes the public less likely to unite against autocratic threats. It also helps boost autocrats’ popularity if they can convince their supporters that the opposition is the enemy and deserves to be shut out of power—the autocrat can then consolidate power around themselves with broad public support.

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