Research

Theory and methods

The theoretical framework of the globalization of politics extends cleavage theory to the global level by conceptualizing the politicization of unequal cultural, political and socio-economic rights. It adapts the concept of cleavage – so far limited to formed nation-states and the forming European polity – to the unformed global arena by postulating the emergence of global cleavages under conditions of closure drawing on exit–voice models of political structuring in macro-historical comparative politics.

Based on theories of nationalization and Europeanization, the framework establishes the conditions under which territorial and territorialized global cleavages are replaced by cross-territorial functional ideological oppositions. This “transition” is modelled in processes of convergence of regional cleavage structures (comparative approach) and linkage between similar groups across borders coordinating organizationally, developing shared identities and manifesting solidarity (transnational approach).

• Theoretically, by bridging comparative politics and IR, the conceptualization conceives of global integration in politicized terms, transcending the alternative between de-politicized technocratic integration and politicized disintegration.
• Normatively, it points to the possibility of plural representation through global institutional channels.
• Empirically, it guides the analysis of the long-term evolution of territoriality in the world state system since the inception of global trade, colonization and mass politics in the 19th century. This framework in presented in two related papers, one focussed on territoriality and one on dimensionality.

The following methods are used in the project: statistical analysis based on voting and organizational data; network analysis of political actors and states treaties, text analysis using large language models based on manifesto data, legislation, programmes by national and global actors; dimensionality analysis of roll-call votes and parliamentary debates; analysis of attitudes and behaviour at individual level through survey analysis; qualitative comparative analysis; classification and coding using artificial intelligence.

Work packages

Research is structured in four work packages based on the methods they use:

• Work package 1: national and regional party and cleavage systems, global networks and transnational parties (Read more)
• Work package 2: text analysis with large language models of manifestos, global actors and international organizations (Read more)
• Work package 3: legislation and roll-calls analysis in national, regional and global assemblies, and international treaties (Read more)
• Work package 4: global survey of 12 world polities on transnational groups, identities and political action (Read more)

Preliminary findings

Findings are presented in journal articles and books. On this page, graphs depictions of a selection of preliminary results, accompanied by brief commentary are provided. If used, the source must be cited (PI, name of the project and web link).

Resources

Data, codes and code-books produced during research will be available through this website upon publication of empirical results toward the end of the funding period.