Delving into the divide: how ideological differences fuel out-party hostility in a multi-party context

Abstract This study investigates to what extent affective polarization, and more specifically hostility towards opposing party supporters, finds its roots in ideological differences. We look into the way out-groups are constructed when there than two political parties, at role of ideology this process. Hereby we position ourselves discussion between those who argue that polarization root strongly group attachments vs. it is mostly rooted conduct our context highly fragmented multi-party system Belgium which enables us analytically disentangle label cues from distance. Our findings demonstrate largely differences electorates Belgium. Additionally, find particularly holds for citizens ideologically invested, namely with higher interest extreme views.