External Funding

Identity and the Globalization Cleavage

Funding: DFG (875k €)
Duration: 2026 to 2029
Status: Granted
Data Sources: Mass surveys, campaign speeches
Geographic Space: Germany, France, Netherlands, UK
Other PI: Nils Steiner (University of Mainz)

The project examines whether and how new social identities have become politically consequential in thecourse of globalization. Globalization-related social identities have received little scholarly attention—although the formation of a group consciousness is considered a prerequisite for the establishment of stable lines of political conflict. Addressing this research gap, the project aims to answer several related questions: To what extent are new globalization-related identities present at the citizen level? Who identifies with which categories? And are these new identities relevant for voting decisions? Particular attention is paid to the role of political elites: Using targeted communication, can they influence the formation of these identities in their favor and ensure that citizens make their electoral decisions in accordance with these identities? To answer these questions, the project develops a theoretical framework that integrates theories from political science and social psychology: Cleavage theory, on the one hand, and social identity theory, in particular the concept of identity leadership, on the other. Empirically, the project will conduct population surveys in four carefully selected countries (Germany, France, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands) to gain in-depth insights into the prevalence and form of globalization-related identities in Western Europe.

The SecEUrity Project

Funding: Volkswagen Stiftung (1,200k €)
Duration: 2018 to 2023
Status: Completed
Data Sources: Elite interviews, mass surveys, media content
Geographic Space: Europe, with a special focus on France, Germany, Italy, and Great Britain
Other PIs: Harald Schoen (Mannheim University), Jason Reifler (University of Southampton)

The SecEUrity Project research project titled “Fighting together, moving apart? European common defense and shared security in an age of Brexit and Trump.” The project studies the dynamic relationship between elites and masses in policy-making about common defense in the multi-level European system and is generously funded by the Volkswagen Stiftung. Visit the project’s website (secEUrity.eu) for more information.