Traditional accounts to political support (e.g., Easton’s seminal works) suggest that citizens’ governmental and democratic support plays a pivotal role for the stability of political systems. Crises such as the COVID19 pandemic and rapid societal change, but also increasing social inequality, political polarization, and an uprising of populist right-wing populism have fueled concerns of eroding democratic political support around the globe.

The conference aims to bring together scholars who work on various aspects of political support – broadly conceived as political attitudes and behavior related to incumbent governments and implemented policies (“specific support”) and – more broadly – views on democracy and democratic functioning, as well as populist and anti-democratic perspectives (“general support”). Possible topics cover, but are not limited to, research on emotions and political support, populist and extremist attitudes, democratic satisfaction and trust in politics, studies on the impact of social cohesion and democracy, research on minority groups and political support, and inquiries into methodological innovations in studying political support. The organizers invite advanced scholars and researchers in the early stages of their careers.