Nils Steiner
@nilssteiner.bsky.social
Political Scientist at JGU Mainz, Germany.
Research on public opinion, elections, parties, and democracy (more at: https://www.nilssteiner.com/).
Spokesperson of the AK Wahlen (@dvpw.bsky.social).
Associate editor at @pvs-journal.bsky.social.
Research on public opinion, elections, parties, and democracy (more at: https://www.nilssteiner.com/).
Spokesperson of the AK Wahlen (@dvpw.bsky.social).
Associate editor at @pvs-journal.bsky.social.
Reposted by Nils Steiner
Quick thread on the BBC and the political and societal significance of recent developments:
One of the main reasons the UK has historically been so much less polarised than the US, is that Britain has a shared source of information, consumed and trusted by most people regardless of their politics.
One of the main reasons the UK has historically been so much less polarised than the US, is that Britain has a shared source of information, consumed and trusted by most people regardless of their politics.
November 10, 2025 at 1:43 PM
Quick thread on the BBC and the political and societal significance of recent developments:
One of the main reasons the UK has historically been so much less polarised than the US, is that Britain has a shared source of information, consumed and trusted by most people regardless of their politics.
One of the main reasons the UK has historically been so much less polarised than the US, is that Britain has a shared source of information, consumed and trusted by most people regardless of their politics.
Reposted by Nils Steiner
Finally, my new paper is out in Comparative Political Studies.
journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
It shows that anti-system politics often begins inside firms: when employers take the low road, offering poor job quality and unfair hierarchies, even well-off workers turn against the system.
journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
It shows that anti-system politics often begins inside firms: when employers take the low road, offering poor job quality and unfair hierarchies, even well-off workers turn against the system.
Sage Journals: Discover world-class research
Subscription and open access journals from Sage, the world's leading independent academic publisher.
journals.sagepub.com
October 31, 2025 at 11:47 AM
Finally, my new paper is out in Comparative Political Studies.
journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
It shows that anti-system politics often begins inside firms: when employers take the low road, offering poor job quality and unfair hierarchies, even well-off workers turn against the system.
journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
It shows that anti-system politics often begins inside firms: when employers take the low road, offering poor job quality and unfair hierarchies, even well-off workers turn against the system.
Reposted by Nils Steiner
How are contemporary cleavage structures stabilized in times of declining mass social and political organizations?
In this new paper with @davidattewell6.bsky.social @bjpols.bsky.social, we suggest that homogeneous social (educational) networks provide part of the answer.
tinyurl.com/49cs8jwp
In this new paper with @davidattewell6.bsky.social @bjpols.bsky.social, we suggest that homogeneous social (educational) networks provide part of the answer.
tinyurl.com/49cs8jwp
Educational Networks, Social Closure, and Cleavage Stabilization | British Journal of Political Science | Cambridge Core
Educational Networks, Social Closure, and Cleavage Stabilization - Volume 55
tinyurl.com
November 6, 2025 at 8:28 AM
How are contemporary cleavage structures stabilized in times of declining mass social and political organizations?
In this new paper with @davidattewell6.bsky.social @bjpols.bsky.social, we suggest that homogeneous social (educational) networks provide part of the answer.
tinyurl.com/49cs8jwp
In this new paper with @davidattewell6.bsky.social @bjpols.bsky.social, we suggest that homogeneous social (educational) networks provide part of the answer.
tinyurl.com/49cs8jwp
Reposted by Nils Steiner
A new paper analyzes the “production-consumption gap” on social media, where a small subset of users produce most of the content, and considers its implications for the study of phenomena such as political polarization, and for the design of policy interventions. Prithvi Iyer considers the results:
What a New Study Reveals About the Production-Consumption Gap on Social Media | TechPolicy.Press
Prithvi Iyer considers new research on how online content reveals the tip of the iceberg, leading to incorrect inferences about online public opinion.
www.techpolicy.press
November 5, 2025 at 3:08 PM
A new paper analyzes the “production-consumption gap” on social media, where a small subset of users produce most of the content, and considers its implications for the study of phenomena such as political polarization, and for the design of policy interventions. Prithvi Iyer considers the results:
Reposted by Nils Steiner
Crazy support numbers for Zohran Mamdani among young women: 84% (!) of women aged 18-29 voted for Mamdani in the NYC Mayoral Election.
But also important: young men voted MUCH MORE STRONGLY (67%) for Mamdani than old men (37%).
But also important: young men voted MUCH MORE STRONGLY (67%) for Mamdani than old men (37%).
November 5, 2025 at 8:49 PM
Crazy support numbers for Zohran Mamdani among young women: 84% (!) of women aged 18-29 voted for Mamdani in the NYC Mayoral Election.
But also important: young men voted MUCH MORE STRONGLY (67%) for Mamdani than old men (37%).
But also important: young men voted MUCH MORE STRONGLY (67%) for Mamdani than old men (37%).
Reposted by Nils Steiner
ANES Data Release! electionstudies.org/data-center/...
The 3-wave ANES panel is now available. It merges data from 3 election studies (2016-2020-2024), the first time the ANES has collected interviews of the same respondents across 3 presidential elections.
The 3-wave ANES panel is now available. It merges data from 3 election studies (2016-2020-2024), the first time the ANES has collected interviews of the same respondents across 3 presidential elections.
2016-2020-2024-panel-merged-study - ANES | American National Election Studies
electionstudies.org
November 1, 2025 at 8:47 PM
ANES Data Release! electionstudies.org/data-center/...
The 3-wave ANES panel is now available. It merges data from 3 election studies (2016-2020-2024), the first time the ANES has collected interviews of the same respondents across 3 presidential elections.
The 3-wave ANES panel is now available. It merges data from 3 election studies (2016-2020-2024), the first time the ANES has collected interviews of the same respondents across 3 presidential elections.
Reposted by Nils Steiner
Cool new working paper on why and how cable news threw gasoline on the culture war fire. The culture war isn't optimal for electoral candidates, but it's optimal for cable news companies.
ungated: www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/27v4x...
ungated: www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/27v4x...
November 3, 2025 at 7:45 PM
Cool new working paper on why and how cable news threw gasoline on the culture war fire. The culture war isn't optimal for electoral candidates, but it's optimal for cable news companies.
ungated: www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/27v4x...
ungated: www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/27v4x...
Reposted by Nils Steiner
There are three things everyone should know about youth and far-right voting:
1: There is (averaged all European countries) no correlation between being young and voting for the far right.
1: There is (averaged all European countries) no correlation between being young and voting for the far right.
@ipsosnl.bsky.social published an age breakdown of the results of the election polls regarding tomorrow's Dutch elections.
Young Dutch voters are leaning more towards the centre-left (D66, PvdA-GL, PvdD, Volt), and are less likely to vote for both the far-right and the center-right.
Young Dutch voters are leaning more towards the centre-left (D66, PvdA-GL, PvdD, Volt), and are less likely to vote for both the far-right and the center-right.
October 28, 2025 at 2:35 PM
There are three things everyone should know about youth and far-right voting:
1: There is (averaged all European countries) no correlation between being young and voting for the far right.
1: There is (averaged all European countries) no correlation between being young and voting for the far right.
Reposted by Nils Steiner
📊 now in English @fesonline.bsky.social:
Gender gap in voting behavior in Germany📊
It's about the “big picture” since 1953 & current trends 2021-2025.
The gender gap keeps growing, especially among the young.
-> Longer trends are continuing & partly accelerating.
library.fes.de/pdf-files/a-...
Gender gap in voting behavior in Germany📊
It's about the “big picture” since 1953 & current trends 2021-2025.
The gender gap keeps growing, especially among the young.
-> Longer trends are continuing & partly accelerating.
library.fes.de/pdf-files/a-...
November 3, 2025 at 4:39 PM
📊 now in English @fesonline.bsky.social:
Gender gap in voting behavior in Germany📊
It's about the “big picture” since 1953 & current trends 2021-2025.
The gender gap keeps growing, especially among the young.
-> Longer trends are continuing & partly accelerating.
library.fes.de/pdf-files/a-...
Gender gap in voting behavior in Germany📊
It's about the “big picture” since 1953 & current trends 2021-2025.
The gender gap keeps growing, especially among the young.
-> Longer trends are continuing & partly accelerating.
library.fes.de/pdf-files/a-...
Reposted by Nils Steiner
Steffen Wamsler and I have a new paper in @ejprjournal.bsky.social !
We show that citizens who perceive their in-group to be disadvantaged express lower support for democracy and higher openness towards authoritarian alternatives!
tinyurl.com/y78hj253 @espol-lab.bsky.social @lifbi.bsky.social
We show that citizens who perceive their in-group to be disadvantaged express lower support for democracy and higher openness towards authoritarian alternatives!
tinyurl.com/y78hj253 @espol-lab.bsky.social @lifbi.bsky.social
Democracy and disadvantage: How subjective group relative deprivation undermines democratic support | European Journal of Political Research | Cambridge Core
Democracy and disadvantage: How subjective group relative deprivation undermines democratic support
tinyurl.com
October 9, 2025 at 5:51 PM
Steffen Wamsler and I have a new paper in @ejprjournal.bsky.social !
We show that citizens who perceive their in-group to be disadvantaged express lower support for democracy and higher openness towards authoritarian alternatives!
tinyurl.com/y78hj253 @espol-lab.bsky.social @lifbi.bsky.social
We show that citizens who perceive their in-group to be disadvantaged express lower support for democracy and higher openness towards authoritarian alternatives!
tinyurl.com/y78hj253 @espol-lab.bsky.social @lifbi.bsky.social
Reposted by Nils Steiner
Is social media dying? How much has Twitter changed as it became X? Which party now dominates the conversation?
Using nationally representative ANES data from 2020 & 2024, I map how the U.S. social media landscape has transformed.
Here are the key take-aways 🧵
arxiv.org/abs/2510.25417
Using nationally representative ANES data from 2020 & 2024, I map how the U.S. social media landscape has transformed.
Here are the key take-aways 🧵
arxiv.org/abs/2510.25417
October 30, 2025 at 8:09 AM
Is social media dying? How much has Twitter changed as it became X? Which party now dominates the conversation?
Using nationally representative ANES data from 2020 & 2024, I map how the U.S. social media landscape has transformed.
Here are the key take-aways 🧵
arxiv.org/abs/2510.25417
Using nationally representative ANES data from 2020 & 2024, I map how the U.S. social media landscape has transformed.
Here are the key take-aways 🧵
arxiv.org/abs/2510.25417
Das Wintersemester an der @unimainz.bsky.social geht los.
Ich freue mich besonders auf mein neues Seminar zu Generationenunterschieden in politischen Einstellungen und dem Wahlverhalten.
Ich freue mich besonders auf mein neues Seminar zu Generationenunterschieden in politischen Einstellungen und dem Wahlverhalten.
October 27, 2025 at 8:38 AM
Das Wintersemester an der @unimainz.bsky.social geht los.
Ich freue mich besonders auf mein neues Seminar zu Generationenunterschieden in politischen Einstellungen und dem Wahlverhalten.
Ich freue mich besonders auf mein neues Seminar zu Generationenunterschieden in politischen Einstellungen und dem Wahlverhalten.
Reposted by Nils Steiner
The Christian Democrats have always been the party that Germans are most likely to trust with the economy. After a setback in 2022, their reputation bounced back, while voters' worries about the economy brew. Which makes the CDU's pivot to immigration during the 24/25 campaign all the more puzzling
October 26, 2025 at 9:50 AM
The Christian Democrats have always been the party that Germans are most likely to trust with the economy. After a setback in 2022, their reputation bounced back, while voters' worries about the economy brew. Which makes the CDU's pivot to immigration during the 24/25 campaign all the more puzzling
Reposted by Nils Steiner
Im Rahmen unserer Forschungswerkstatt bieten wir im Wintersemester 2025/26 wieder ein spannendes Programm zu verschiedenen Themen an. Wie immer gilt: alle sind herzlich willkommen!
October 24, 2025 at 7:00 AM
Im Rahmen unserer Forschungswerkstatt bieten wir im Wintersemester 2025/26 wieder ein spannendes Programm zu verschiedenen Themen an. Wie immer gilt: alle sind herzlich willkommen!
Reposted by Nils Steiner
Happy to serve as the editor-in-chief of the Politische Vierteljahresschrift/German Political Science Quarterly (PVS/GPSQ) link.springer.com/journal/11615 @dvpw.bsky.social from January 2026 onwards. Thanks to Eric Linhart for his great work in the last six years! 1/3
October 23, 2025 at 8:03 AM
Happy to serve as the editor-in-chief of the Politische Vierteljahresschrift/German Political Science Quarterly (PVS/GPSQ) link.springer.com/journal/11615 @dvpw.bsky.social from January 2026 onwards. Thanks to Eric Linhart for his great work in the last six years! 1/3
Reposted by Nils Steiner
🚨 New article out!
“Right-Wing Terror, Media Backlash, and Voting Preferences for the Far Right” in @bjpols.bsky.social
👉 doi.org/10.1017/S000...
We (Alex De Juan, @juvoss.bsky.social & I) examine how right-wing attacks shape support for the far-right in Germany.
Short summary thread below 👇
“Right-Wing Terror, Media Backlash, and Voting Preferences for the Far Right” in @bjpols.bsky.social
👉 doi.org/10.1017/S000...
We (Alex De Juan, @juvoss.bsky.social & I) examine how right-wing attacks shape support for the far-right in Germany.
Short summary thread below 👇
October 22, 2025 at 3:14 PM
🚨 New article out!
“Right-Wing Terror, Media Backlash, and Voting Preferences for the Far Right” in @bjpols.bsky.social
👉 doi.org/10.1017/S000...
We (Alex De Juan, @juvoss.bsky.social & I) examine how right-wing attacks shape support for the far-right in Germany.
Short summary thread below 👇
“Right-Wing Terror, Media Backlash, and Voting Preferences for the Far Right” in @bjpols.bsky.social
👉 doi.org/10.1017/S000...
We (Alex De Juan, @juvoss.bsky.social & I) examine how right-wing attacks shape support for the far-right in Germany.
Short summary thread below 👇
Reposted by Nils Steiner
Why do people turn to populist parties? 🤔
📣 Our new study just published at @ejprjournal.bsky.social shows it’s not just real inequality - it’s perceived inequality that drives populism.
📌 Blog: hu-govlab.de/en/perceived...
📊 Study: tinyurl.com/msnndnpn
🏛️ Funded by: @scripts-berlin.eu
📣 Our new study just published at @ejprjournal.bsky.social shows it’s not just real inequality - it’s perceived inequality that drives populism.
📌 Blog: hu-govlab.de/en/perceived...
📊 Study: tinyurl.com/msnndnpn
🏛️ Funded by: @scripts-berlin.eu
October 15, 2025 at 2:42 PM
Why do people turn to populist parties? 🤔
📣 Our new study just published at @ejprjournal.bsky.social shows it’s not just real inequality - it’s perceived inequality that drives populism.
📌 Blog: hu-govlab.de/en/perceived...
📊 Study: tinyurl.com/msnndnpn
🏛️ Funded by: @scripts-berlin.eu
📣 Our new study just published at @ejprjournal.bsky.social shows it’s not just real inequality - it’s perceived inequality that drives populism.
📌 Blog: hu-govlab.de/en/perceived...
📊 Study: tinyurl.com/msnndnpn
🏛️ Funded by: @scripts-berlin.eu
Reposted by Nils Steiner
New publication for everyone interested in climate politics, far-right climate obstruction, and the role of elite cues! 📚
"Climate action versus environmental protection?" now out in @environmentalpol.bsky.social (with Matthias Diermeier).
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.... (open access!) (1/5)
"Climate action versus environmental protection?" now out in @environmentalpol.bsky.social (with Matthias Diermeier).
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.... (open access!) (1/5)
Climate action versus environmental protection? How far-right and environmentalist messengers shape public attitudes towards renewable energy infrastructure in forests
This article examines how political messengers, and not the message, influence attitudes toward renewable energy infrastructure amid an increasingly polarized climate change debate. Focusing on win...
www.tandfonline.com
October 14, 2025 at 8:34 AM
New publication for everyone interested in climate politics, far-right climate obstruction, and the role of elite cues! 📚
"Climate action versus environmental protection?" now out in @environmentalpol.bsky.social (with Matthias Diermeier).
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.... (open access!) (1/5)
"Climate action versus environmental protection?" now out in @environmentalpol.bsky.social (with Matthias Diermeier).
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.... (open access!) (1/5)
Reposted by Nils Steiner
💥Online first:
"How populist citizens see the people and their place in representative democracy"
by Rosa Kindt @robert-a-huber.bsky.social & @kristofjacobs1.bsky.social
doi.org/10.1080/0140...
"How populist citizens see the people and their place in representative democracy"
by Rosa Kindt @robert-a-huber.bsky.social & @kristofjacobs1.bsky.social
doi.org/10.1080/0140...
October 14, 2025 at 7:23 AM
💥Online first:
"How populist citizens see the people and their place in representative democracy"
by Rosa Kindt @robert-a-huber.bsky.social & @kristofjacobs1.bsky.social
doi.org/10.1080/0140...
"How populist citizens see the people and their place in representative democracy"
by Rosa Kindt @robert-a-huber.bsky.social & @kristofjacobs1.bsky.social
doi.org/10.1080/0140...
Reposted by Nils Steiner
Wieder ein schlechter Tag für die AfD im Osten.
Deklassiert in der OB-Stichwahl in Frankfurt (Oder) und sogar in Eisenhüttenstadt - wo sie sich echte Hoffnung machte - deutlich verloren.
Deklassiert in der OB-Stichwahl in Frankfurt (Oder) und sogar in Eisenhüttenstadt - wo sie sich echte Hoffnung machte - deutlich verloren.
October 12, 2025 at 5:58 PM
Wieder ein schlechter Tag für die AfD im Osten.
Deklassiert in der OB-Stichwahl in Frankfurt (Oder) und sogar in Eisenhüttenstadt - wo sie sich echte Hoffnung machte - deutlich verloren.
Deklassiert in der OB-Stichwahl in Frankfurt (Oder) und sogar in Eisenhüttenstadt - wo sie sich echte Hoffnung machte - deutlich verloren.
Reposted by Nils Steiner
#OpenAccess from @ejprjournal.bsky.social -
Perceived inequality and populism - https://cup.org/4nQsBXs
"how inequalities and their perception became a pre-condition for the rise of populist parties"
- @lstoetze.bsky.social, Johannes Giesecke & @heikekluever.bsky.social
#FirstView #Populism
Perceived inequality and populism - https://cup.org/4nQsBXs
"how inequalities and their perception became a pre-condition for the rise of populist parties"
- @lstoetze.bsky.social, Johannes Giesecke & @heikekluever.bsky.social
#FirstView #Populism
October 11, 2025 at 1:20 PM
#OpenAccess from @ejprjournal.bsky.social -
Perceived inequality and populism - https://cup.org/4nQsBXs
"how inequalities and their perception became a pre-condition for the rise of populist parties"
- @lstoetze.bsky.social, Johannes Giesecke & @heikekluever.bsky.social
#FirstView #Populism
Perceived inequality and populism - https://cup.org/4nQsBXs
"how inequalities and their perception became a pre-condition for the rise of populist parties"
- @lstoetze.bsky.social, Johannes Giesecke & @heikekluever.bsky.social
#FirstView #Populism
Reposted by Nils Steiner
New SI "Cleavage Politics in Western
Democracies" @wepsocial.bsky.social!
If you're interested in transforming social & political divides in advanced democracies, this is for you.
The intro by @davidattewell6.bsky.social & me maps contributions around 3 challenges for contemp. cleavage research.
Democracies" @wepsocial.bsky.social!
If you're interested in transforming social & political divides in advanced democracies, this is for you.
The intro by @davidattewell6.bsky.social & me maps contributions around 3 challenges for contemp. cleavage research.
@dpzollinger.bsky.social and I are thrilled "Cleavage Politics in Western Democracies" is out as an SI at @wepsocial.bsky.social!
Its papers explore the foundations of the cleavage pitting new left against radical right parties, and how it compares to the classic cleavages of Lipset & Rokkan:
🧵⬇️
Its papers explore the foundations of the cleavage pitting new left against radical right parties, and how it compares to the classic cleavages of Lipset & Rokkan:
🧵⬇️
October 7, 2025 at 12:11 PM
New SI "Cleavage Politics in Western
Democracies" @wepsocial.bsky.social!
If you're interested in transforming social & political divides in advanced democracies, this is for you.
The intro by @davidattewell6.bsky.social & me maps contributions around 3 challenges for contemp. cleavage research.
Democracies" @wepsocial.bsky.social!
If you're interested in transforming social & political divides in advanced democracies, this is for you.
The intro by @davidattewell6.bsky.social & me maps contributions around 3 challenges for contemp. cleavage research.
Reposted by Nils Steiner
@dpzollinger.bsky.social and I are thrilled "Cleavage Politics in Western Democracies" is out as an SI at @wepsocial.bsky.social!
Its papers explore the foundations of the cleavage pitting new left against radical right parties, and how it compares to the classic cleavages of Lipset & Rokkan:
🧵⬇️
Its papers explore the foundations of the cleavage pitting new left against radical right parties, and how it compares to the classic cleavages of Lipset & Rokkan:
🧵⬇️
October 7, 2025 at 11:28 AM
@dpzollinger.bsky.social and I are thrilled "Cleavage Politics in Western Democracies" is out as an SI at @wepsocial.bsky.social!
Its papers explore the foundations of the cleavage pitting new left against radical right parties, and how it compares to the classic cleavages of Lipset & Rokkan:
🧵⬇️
Its papers explore the foundations of the cleavage pitting new left against radical right parties, and how it compares to the classic cleavages of Lipset & Rokkan:
🧵⬇️
Exciting lineup for our (@powimz.bsky.social) research colloquia—the Forschungswerkstatt and the Democracy Seminar—this coming winter semester! I’m looking forward to welcoming many great guests and hearing from my colleagues.
October 7, 2025 at 8:59 AM
Exciting lineup for our (@powimz.bsky.social) research colloquia—the Forschungswerkstatt and the Democracy Seminar—this coming winter semester! I’m looking forward to welcoming many great guests and hearing from my colleagues.
Reposted by Nils Steiner
Really excited that after several years of working on it, revising, and getting lots of rejections, our paper (w/ Rune Stubager & Mads Thau) on citizens’ responses to group appeals is *finally* out @ejprjournal.bsky.social
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
A 🧵 on our findings...
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
A 🧵 on our findings...
How group appeals shape candidate support: The role of group membership, identity strength, and deservingness perceptions | European Journal of Political Research | Cambridge Core
How group appeals shape candidate support: The role of group membership, identity strength, and deservingness perceptions
www.cambridge.org
October 6, 2025 at 9:47 AM
Really excited that after several years of working on it, revising, and getting lots of rejections, our paper (w/ Rune Stubager & Mads Thau) on citizens’ responses to group appeals is *finally* out @ejprjournal.bsky.social
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
A 🧵 on our findings...
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
A 🧵 on our findings...