The Authoritarian Divide

<p><strong>In the context of the global decline of democracy, <em>The Authoritarian Divide</em> analyzes the tactics that populist leaders in Turkey, Venezuela, and Ecuador have used to polarize their countries.</strong></p><p>Political polarization is traditionally viewed as the result of competing left/right ideologies. In <em>The Authoritarian Divide</em>, Orçun Selçuk argues that, regardless of ideology, polarization is driven by dominant populist leaders who deliberately divide constituents by cultivating a dichotomy of inclusion and exclusion. This practice, known as affective leader polarization, stymies compromise and undermines the democratic process.</p><p>Drawing on multiple qualitative and quantitative methodologies for support, as well as content from propaganda media such as public speeches, Muhtar Meetings, <em>Aló Presidente</em>, and <em>Enlace Ciudadano</em>, Selçuk details and analyzes the tactics used by three well-known populist leaders to fuel affective leader polarization: Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in Turkey, Hugo Chávez in Venezuela, and Rafael Correa in Ecuador. Selçuk's work provides a rubric for a better understanding of—and potential defense against—the rise in polarizing populism across the globe.</p>