Despite growing distrust in political parties, membership in Brazil has surged as members increasingly reject opposing political factions.
A study by UFSCar and the University of São Paulo USP reveals that 70% of party members join due to aversion to rivals.
Political scientists interviewed by Estadão believe this trend fuels voter polarization, especially during elections, and weakens democracy.
Conducted in 2020, 2022, and 2023, the national study involved 32 parties. Researchers sent questionnaires with 52 questions to party members and leaders.
They aimed to uncover motivations for membership, participation incentives, and the most hated parties.
Responses from 3,266 participants were analyzed with a 2% margin of error and a 95% confidence level.
Pedro Paulo de Assis, a USP researcher, sought to understand the rise in party membership despite public distrust.
The study found that hatred for political opponents motivates membership and increases engagement in party activities.
Engagement Through Hatred
The study shows hatred for rival parties drives member participation significantly.
According to the research, 36% of respondents become highly engaged in party activities when their most hated party might win. Researchers call this “engagement through hatred.”
Traditional motivators, like influencing their own party (32%) and desiring their party’s victory (41%), trail behind hatred-driven engagement.
The study examined how many hours members dedicated to party activities under different stimuli, focusing on those committing more than 30 hours monthly.
Vinícius Alves, a UFSCar researcher, notes that 36% of members are mainly motivated by fear of their least favored party winning.
He points out that hatred acts as a negative incentive, driving their high level of engagement. Alves refers to this phenomenon as ‘engagement through hatred.’
Beyond Political Differences
Alves notes that extreme aversion goes beyond normal political debates. “This is more than policy disagreements. It’s the belief that the other side must not exist,” he says.
Steven Levitsky, author of “How Democracies Die,” notes that polarization can stimulate activism but excessive polarization is dangerous.
He believes that when leaders fear an existential threat from the other party, it endangers democracy.
Felipe Nunes, founder of the Quaest Institute, argues that increased polarization solidifies political identities negatively.
Felipe Nunes believes politics has shifted from debating ideas to preventing adversaries from winning.
This ‘affective polarization’ makes opponents seem like enemies.
Most Hated Parties
The study identified the most hated parties. The Workers’ Party (PT) leads with 34% rejection, followed by the Socialism and Liberty Party (PSOL) with 27%.
The “engagement through hatred” phenomenon affects parties across the political spectrum.
The Social Liberal Party (PSL) and the Democrats (DEM), which merged into União Brasil in 2022, also rank among the most rejected.
Effects on Democracy
Assis notes that extreme rejection among party members influences voter behavior and political institutions.
“The animosity seen in presidential elections could reach municipal elections, affecting local governance,” he says.
He warns that this hatred undermines Brazilian democracy. “The political arena loses its role in resolving conflicts, signaling a weakening of democracy,” Assis concludes.
Political parties and democratic institutions must address this issue to protect Brazil’s democratic integrity.
Monitoring and mitigating this trend is crucial for democratic processes and political stability.
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