A Radical Vision of Radicalism: Political Cynicism, not Incrementally Stronger Partisan Positions, Explains Political Radicalization

Is political radicalization a product of increased issue position polarization, by which left and right-wing attitudes become ever more extreme? We argue that this is not the best explanation. Indeed, radical right supporters are so much “left” or “right” in terms their ideological attitudes. Instead, we cynicism relevant attitude, with radicals being characterized distinctly high levels, making them truly distinct from moderates. Radicals primarily driven anger, than anxiety, meaning information processing heavily focused on consistency closure. discuss cynics have highly effective as force, offer suggestions for how traditional parties may overcome “trust crisis” politics. It concluded issue-position polarization phenomenon operates to an equal extent moderate voters adherents populist parties. The abyss between moderates concerns whether “to be system” at all.