Germany’s party system faces a dual challenge: increasing fragmentation and growing polarization. Declining traditional alliances, new actors, and the rise of populist forces make majority-building more difficult and raise the risk of political deadlock.
L. Constantin Wurthmann’s contribution analyses how parties can remain capable of action under these conditions without jeopardizing the democratic consensus. The starting point is the distinction between productive and destructive polarization. While issue-based polarization creates clear alternatives and makes democratic diversity visible, affective polarization threatens cohesion by delegitimizing political opponents and reinforcing enemy images. Polarization becomes particularly dangerous when it spills over into everyday life, creating deep social divides.
The concept of “democratic polarization” offers a way forward: conflicts should be addressed clearly and according to rules – while recognizing all democratic competitors. Parties must highlight differences without turning them into divisive barriers.
The article develops practical strategies for election campaigns: First, profiling through core competence areas (“issue ownership”) is essential. Parties should consistently focus on their strengths rather than adopting others’ frames. Second, dealing with democratic competitors requires a balance between differentiation and connectivity to keep coalition options open. Third, in relation to radical and extremist parties: clear value positioning and emphasis on problem-solving competence in areas where these parties are weak. Fourth, personalization plays a key role: authenticity, positive narratives, and a constructive style are more effective than constant attacks. Finally, citizen-friendly language is strategically crucial to build trust and maintain interpretive authority.
Successful campaign strategies thus combine normative responsibility with strategic profiling. They rely on coherence between program, personality, and communication to organize majorities in the centre while strengthening democratic cohesion. Polarization does not have to mean division – it can invigorate democratic processes when rooted in substance and shared constitutional values.
Read the full Parties Monitor: “Raus aus der Polarisierungsfalle!” here as a PDF. Please note, to date the publication is only available in German.
