Populist’s path to despair – DW – 08/28/2024

**Unhappy Voters Turn to Far-Right Parties: A Study on the Emotional Impact**

Have you ever wondered why some unhappy individuals turn to far-right political parties for solace? A recent study conducted by researchers Maja Adena and Steffen Huck sheds light on this phenomenon. Focusing on supporters of the German far-right populist party, Alternative für Deutschland (AfD), the researchers found a correlation between unhappiness and increased support for the party.

The study revealed that AfD supporters, particularly new ones, experienced a downward spiral in their subjective well-being once exposed to the party’s negative rhetoric. Despite this, the long-term supporters eventually stabilized in terms of happiness, while those who stopped supporting the AfD showed signs of recovery.

The findings highlight the emotional impact of supporting a populist party and underline the importance of understanding the motivations behind such political affiliations. Ultimately, the study suggests that negative populist rhetoric can wear down individuals, particularly new supporters who are not fully committed.

While this study focuses on German politics, similar trends have been observed in other European countries as well. As political psychologists delve deeper into understanding the emotional underpinnings of political decisions, it becomes clear that happiness plays a significant role in shaping voter behavior.

The link between personal happiness and political engagement is a complex one, and further research is needed to unravel the intricate relationship between emotions and political ideologies.

*Primary Source: Support for a right-wing populist party and subjective well-being: Experimental and survey evidence from Germany, published by Maja Adena and Steffen Huck in PLOS ONE (June 2024)*

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