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Maximilian Filsinger @mfilsinger.bsky.social · 22/07/2026

I wrote a blog post about our article (w/ Steffen Wamsler) in @ejprjournal.bsky.social. We show that a perceived sense of disadvantage is linked to higher support for autocratic alternatives which undermines the societal foundation of democracy. Blogpost: shorturl.at/kG1FZ Paper: shorturl.at/ov8jj

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Democracy and disadvantage: How subjective group relative deprivation undermines democratic support | European Journal of Political Research | Cambridge Core

Democracy and disadvantage: How subjective group relative deprivation undermines democratic support - Volume 65 Issue 1

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Vanessa Schwaiger @vanessaschwaiger.bsky.social · 19/06/2026

"Left behind" and an undemocratic mind? Happy to see that my article on the link between perceived marginalization and democratic orientations is now out in @ejprjournal.bsky.social 🧵👇 Read the article here: www.cambridge.org/core/journal...

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European Journal of Political Research @ejprjournal.bsky.social · 11/06/2026

Taking a stand ✋️🧍 These authors 🧵 use survey data across 9 countries to assess the downstreams consequences of #AffectivePolarization & intervene to successfully reduce participants #AffectivePolarization in 6 of the 9, improving interpersonal relations and social norms buff.ly/tHRWa65

cambridge.org

The (alleged) consequences of affective polarization: A survey experiment in nine democracies | European Journal of Political Research | Cambridge Core

The (alleged) consequences of affective polarization: A survey experiment in nine democracies

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Ruth Dassonneville @rdassonneville.bsky.social · 19/05/2026

🚨 I'm recruiting a PhD student for a new project on Parties' social group ownership, based in the @vd-researchgroup.bsky.social research group at KU Leuven! Deadline for applying is 26 June, estimated starting date is 1 Oct 2026. All info is here 👉 www.kuleuven.be/personeel/jo... Share widely!

kuleuven.be

1 doctoraatspositie in kiesgedrag

1 PhD position to research how parties build connections with social groups

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Arndt Leininger @aleininger.bsky.social · 18/05/2026

🚨 8 days left to apply! @svenhegewald.bsky.social and I a are happy to answer questions of prospective applicants.

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Maximilian Filsinger @mfilsinger.bsky.social · 23/04/2026

We aim to study how recognition is linked to democratic attachment and examine how elite communication affects perceived recognition and its link to democratic support. The team will include @ackermannk.bsky.social, me and two PhD students. The second position will be advertised soon!

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Maximilian Filsinger @mfilsinger.bsky.social · 23/04/2026

In our project, we study how recognition – understood as the degree to which individuals feel valued and respected by society and political elites – shapes political attitudes and democratic support. We argue that a lack of recognition can push individuals toward anti-establishment politics.

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Maximilian Filsinger @mfilsinger.bsky.social · 23/04/2026

If you have any questions or if you are unsure whether you fulfil the requirements, please do not hesitate to reach out to me! The deadline for applications is the 15th May.

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Maximilian Filsinger @mfilsinger.bsky.social · 23/04/2026

The position starts September 1st 2026. If you are interested in questions of democratic support, social status and recognition and survey research, and have a (soon to be) completed master’s degree in political science, please have a look at the job ad: shorturl.at/oi1jp

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Institut Catholique de Lille recrute : Assistant Doctorant en Science Politique (F/H) CDD à undefined

Postulez à l'offre Assistant Doctorant en Science Politique (F/H) sur Taleez pour rejoindre Institut Catholique de Lille

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Maximilian Filsinger @mfilsinger.bsky.social · 23/04/2026

That means, I am looking for a PhD student to join ESPOL-LAB at the Catholic University of Lille. The position is fully funded for 3 years and includes the possibility to conduct joint and independent research within the research project. Teaching responsibility is limited to one course per year.

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Maximilian Filsinger @mfilsinger.bsky.social · 23/04/2026

Our project includes money for surveys, experiments, and most importantly two PhD positions (one at @espol-lab.bsky.social in Lille and one at the University of Siegen).

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Maximilian Filsinger @mfilsinger.bsky.social · 23/04/2026

In December 2025, @ackermannk.bsky.social and I got the exciting news that our project RECOGNITION: How Social Status and Recognition Shape Attachment to Democracy in France and Germany will be funded by the @agencerecherche.bsky.social & @dfg.de consortium for three years with around 450.000 €! 🎉

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ESPOL-Lab @espol-lab.bsky.social · 25/03/2026

Workshop on “Subnational #elections 🗳️ in times of national #crisis in France 🇫🇷 and beyond 🌐” on 21 May 2026 📅 Deadline reminder: 30 March 2026 noon to submit a paper!

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Multidisciplinary Center for Infectious Diseases (MCID) @mcid-unibe.bsky.social · 05/02/2026

New research funded by the MCID explores how political and affective polarisation shaped COVID-19 health behaviours. To read the full paper 👉 tinyurl.com/mtm7vpvy Or read more about the project 👉 tinyurl.com/3wvfptjb

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European Journal of Political Research @ejprjournal.bsky.social · 14/10/2025

🆕 Democratic disaffection and resentment ✊ Using survey data 📊 from 6 European countries 🇪🇺 @mfilsinger.bsky.social & Steffen Wamsler examine how #SGRD, already linked to radical political support, relates to general support for democracy 🏛️ #OA 📖

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Democracy and disadvantage: How subjective group relative deprivation undermines democratic support | European Journal of Political Research | Cambridge Core

Democracy and disadvantage: How subjective group relative deprivation undermines democratic support

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Maximilian Filsinger @mfilsinger.bsky.social · 09/10/2025

Perceptions of disadvantage may erode the attitudinal core of liberal democracy. This makes it easier for authoritarian politicians to undermine democratic institutions and norms. Addressing SGRD has crucial implications for the stability and health of democracy.

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Maximilian Filsinger @mfilsinger.bsky.social · 09/10/2025

Our findings are based on survey and panel data from six European countries that are considered stable democracies. Thus, our study has crucial implication! Perceptions of disadvantage matter! It is not only objective circumstances that undermine citizens support for democracy!

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Maximilian Filsinger @mfilsinger.bsky.social · 09/10/2025

Our analyses offer a nuanced but not optimistic picture. While SGRD does not undermine citizens' preference for democracy as the most preferable regime, it increases their openness to autocratic alternatives. If steadfast democrats are those that reject autocracy, this is not good news!

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Maximilian Filsinger @mfilsinger.bsky.social · 09/10/2025

Furthermore, autocratic alternatives are particularly attractive to individuals suffering from SGRD as these alternatives offer confrontational intergroup relations and performance-driven legitimacy as coping strategies to overcome perceived disadvantages. They seem more attractive than democracy.

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Maximilian Filsinger @mfilsinger.bsky.social · 09/10/2025

In our paper, we argue that subjective group relative deprivation (SGRD) undermines support for democracy. SGRD fuels disaffection with and resentment against the prevailing democratic system as it is unable to fulfil its fundamental pledges. SGRD makes people question the legitimacy of democracy.

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Maximilian Filsinger @mfilsinger.bsky.social · 09/10/2025

Yet, we always wondered whether the effects of relative deprivation also undermine the attitudinal basis of democracy: diffuse support for democracy. If that is the case, relative deprivation does not only strengthen anti-democratic actors, but also democracy's foundation.

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Maximilian Filsinger @mfilsinger.bsky.social · 09/10/2025

We depart from previous research that shows subjective disadvantages to be a driver of radical voting and exclusionary attitudes. Among many other great scholars, both Steffen (tinyurl.com/26nexz2s) and I (tinyurl.com/2s3jv494) had contributed to this line of research.

tinyurl.com

Perceived Exclusionary Disadvantages and Populist Attitudes: Evidence from Comparative and Longitudinal Survey Data in Six European Countries - Maximilian Filsinger, 2023

Recent ethnographic research has argued that subjective impressions of disadvantage are important to explain support for radical populist parties. Yet, the ques...

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Maximilian Filsinger @mfilsinger.bsky.social · 16/10/2023

Join us tomorrow for a great presentation in the second session of the Comparative Politics Online Series by Annika Lindholm who is presenting her paper «Does inequality bother us, "the people"? The inequality attitudes of populist radical right voter» @twoeffray.bsky.social

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