Daniel Balinhas
@daniel-balinhas.bsky.social
PhD in Political Psychology at Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Inter-group Processes, Political Polarization, Social Identity. Now Postdoc at Limerick University.
Reposted by Daniel Balinhas
Populist hype and horseshoe theory are always used by anti-populists to create an illusion that the far right they enabled to justify the status quo as the lesser of two evils and any real alternative to it (and the status quo) are the same threat
More here:
journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
More here:
journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
Every article by a 'savvy' political analyst reads like a focus group transcript with a low-information voter.
www.theatlantic.com/politics/202...
www.theatlantic.com/politics/202...
November 23, 2025 at 9:05 AM
Populist hype and horseshoe theory are always used by anti-populists to create an illusion that the far right they enabled to justify the status quo as the lesser of two evils and any real alternative to it (and the status quo) are the same threat
More here:
journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
More here:
journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
Our pre-print forthcoming in Contemporary Political Theory by @juanroch.bsky.social, @aurelmondon.bsky.social, and me is now available. Building on interdisciplinary insights, we systematize a critical approach to political polarization. Check @aurelmondon.bsky.social's thread for more info.
The ‘polarisation narrative’ simplifies complex issues by constructing a spectrum where good should be found in the middle of diametrically opposed political positions
New preprint article by @juanroch.bsky.social, @daniel-balinhas.bsky.social and I
1/
www.researchgate.net/publication/...
New preprint article by @juanroch.bsky.social, @daniel-balinhas.bsky.social and I
1/
www.researchgate.net/publication/...
(PDF) A critique of the polarisation narrative: Expanding the limits of democracy, parties and political participation
PDF | To cite: Roch J, Balinhas, D and Mondon A (2025) 'A critique of the polarisation narrative: Expanding the limits of democracy, parties and... | Find, read and cite all the research you need on R...
www.researchgate.net
November 17, 2025 at 12:03 PM
Our pre-print forthcoming in Contemporary Political Theory by @juanroch.bsky.social, @aurelmondon.bsky.social, and me is now available. Building on interdisciplinary insights, we systematize a critical approach to political polarization. Check @aurelmondon.bsky.social's thread for more info.
Reposted by Daniel Balinhas
The ‘polarisation narrative’ simplifies complex issues by constructing a spectrum where good should be found in the middle of diametrically opposed political positions
New preprint article by @juanroch.bsky.social, @daniel-balinhas.bsky.social and I
1/
www.researchgate.net/publication/...
New preprint article by @juanroch.bsky.social, @daniel-balinhas.bsky.social and I
1/
www.researchgate.net/publication/...
(PDF) A critique of the polarisation narrative: Expanding the limits of democracy, parties and political participation
PDF | To cite: Roch J, Balinhas, D and Mondon A (2025) 'A critique of the polarisation narrative: Expanding the limits of democracy, parties and... | Find, read and cite all the research you need on R...
www.researchgate.net
November 17, 2025 at 10:19 AM
The ‘polarisation narrative’ simplifies complex issues by constructing a spectrum where good should be found in the middle of diametrically opposed political positions
New preprint article by @juanroch.bsky.social, @daniel-balinhas.bsky.social and I
1/
www.researchgate.net/publication/...
New preprint article by @juanroch.bsky.social, @daniel-balinhas.bsky.social and I
1/
www.researchgate.net/publication/...
Reposted by Daniel Balinhas
📢 This is tomorrow!
The 8th Conference on Behaviour and Public Opinion in Catalonia will take place at @ibei.org & @politiquesupf.bsky.social
Looking forward to a great day of discussions on great papers. See you there! 👥 @bcnpolisci.bsky.social
sites.google.com/view/jcpop
The 8th Conference on Behaviour and Public Opinion in Catalonia will take place at @ibei.org & @politiquesupf.bsky.social
Looking forward to a great day of discussions on great papers. See you there! 👥 @bcnpolisci.bsky.social
sites.google.com/view/jcpop
JCPOP25
sites.google.com
November 5, 2025 at 4:41 PM
📢 This is tomorrow!
The 8th Conference on Behaviour and Public Opinion in Catalonia will take place at @ibei.org & @politiquesupf.bsky.social
Looking forward to a great day of discussions on great papers. See you there! 👥 @bcnpolisci.bsky.social
sites.google.com/view/jcpop
The 8th Conference on Behaviour and Public Opinion in Catalonia will take place at @ibei.org & @politiquesupf.bsky.social
Looking forward to a great day of discussions on great papers. See you there! 👥 @bcnpolisci.bsky.social
sites.google.com/view/jcpop
Reposted by Daniel Balinhas
👋Welcome to the Barcelona Network of Political Science.
▶️We are here to promote research, strengthen ties between institutions, and support young researchers and students in developing their research careers.
▶️We are here to promote research, strengthen ties between institutions, and support young researchers and students in developing their research careers.
November 5, 2025 at 10:31 AM
👋Welcome to the Barcelona Network of Political Science.
▶️We are here to promote research, strengthen ties between institutions, and support young researchers and students in developing their research careers.
▶️We are here to promote research, strengthen ties between institutions, and support young researchers and students in developing their research careers.
Reposted by Daniel Balinhas
👋Benvinguts/des al Barcelona Network of Political Science.
▶️Som aquí amb objectiu fomentar la recerca, enfortir els vincles entre institucions i donar suport als investigadors joves i als estudiants en el desenvolupament de les seves carreres de recerca.
▶️Som aquí amb objectiu fomentar la recerca, enfortir els vincles entre institucions i donar suport als investigadors joves i als estudiants en el desenvolupament de les seves carreres de recerca.
November 5, 2025 at 10:19 AM
👋Benvinguts/des al Barcelona Network of Political Science.
▶️Som aquí amb objectiu fomentar la recerca, enfortir els vincles entre institucions i donar suport als investigadors joves i als estudiants en el desenvolupament de les seves carreres de recerca.
▶️Som aquí amb objectiu fomentar la recerca, enfortir els vincles entre institucions i donar suport als investigadors joves i als estudiants en el desenvolupament de les seves carreres de recerca.
Reposted by Daniel Balinhas
The official call is now out! seleccio.uab.cat/seleccio/con...
October 30, 2025 at 9:39 AM
The official call is now out! seleccio.uab.cat/seleccio/con...
Reposted by Daniel Balinhas
🚨2 ERC-funded Postdocs🚨
IDENTITY ERROR combines computational & experimental approaches to model epistemic vulnerability. 2 posts are available in our supportive & interdisciplinary team.
Further details:
Computational: my.corehr.com/pls/esbsheul...
Social Psych: my.corehr.com/pls/esbsheul...
IDENTITY ERROR combines computational & experimental approaches to model epistemic vulnerability. 2 posts are available in our supportive & interdisciplinary team.
Further details:
Computational: my.corehr.com/pls/esbsheul...
Social Psych: my.corehr.com/pls/esbsheul...
October 13, 2025 at 10:46 AM
🚨2 ERC-funded Postdocs🚨
IDENTITY ERROR combines computational & experimental approaches to model epistemic vulnerability. 2 posts are available in our supportive & interdisciplinary team.
Further details:
Computational: my.corehr.com/pls/esbsheul...
Social Psych: my.corehr.com/pls/esbsheul...
IDENTITY ERROR combines computational & experimental approaches to model epistemic vulnerability. 2 posts are available in our supportive & interdisciplinary team.
Further details:
Computational: my.corehr.com/pls/esbsheul...
Social Psych: my.corehr.com/pls/esbsheul...
Reposted by Daniel Balinhas
ICYMI, check out @georgenewth.bsky.social's blog on the limits of Keir Starmer's 'patriotic' discourse and his ongoing enabling of the far right.
reacpol.net/starmer-farr...
reacpol.net/starmer-farr...
October 10, 2025 at 2:03 PM
ICYMI, check out @georgenewth.bsky.social's blog on the limits of Keir Starmer's 'patriotic' discourse and his ongoing enabling of the far right.
reacpol.net/starmer-farr...
reacpol.net/starmer-farr...
Reposted by Daniel Balinhas
Just one week to go before the submission deadline for the @polstudiesassoc.bsky.social annual conference. You can submit your paper to the Reactionary Politics Specialist Group stream below!
www.psa.ac.uk/events/psa-a...
www.psa.ac.uk/events/psa-a...
October 10, 2025 at 2:05 PM
Just one week to go before the submission deadline for the @polstudiesassoc.bsky.social annual conference. You can submit your paper to the Reactionary Politics Specialist Group stream below!
www.psa.ac.uk/events/psa-a...
www.psa.ac.uk/events/psa-a...
Reposted by Daniel Balinhas
The 3rd year of the Psychology of Resistance (in violent, repressive contexts) Virtual Meeting Series is starting this month - here is the schedule for the academic year 2025/26. More information, recordings, and form for mailing list to receive registration links here:
resistancepsych.blogspot.com
resistancepsych.blogspot.com
October 4, 2025 at 1:34 PM
The 3rd year of the Psychology of Resistance (in violent, repressive contexts) Virtual Meeting Series is starting this month - here is the schedule for the academic year 2025/26. More information, recordings, and form for mailing list to receive registration links here:
resistancepsych.blogspot.com
resistancepsych.blogspot.com
Reposted by Daniel Balinhas
The Psychology of Resistance (in violent, repressive contexts) Virtual Meeting Series and network is now here on Blue Sky, please follow for our updates on upcoming talks, recordings from sessions, papers from our presenters, etc.! bsky.app/profile/psyc...
bsky.app
October 4, 2025 at 4:59 PM
The Psychology of Resistance (in violent, repressive contexts) Virtual Meeting Series and network is now here on Blue Sky, please follow for our updates on upcoming talks, recordings from sessions, papers from our presenters, etc.! bsky.app/profile/psyc...
Reposted by Daniel Balinhas
This short piece co-authored with Alex Yates shows why the misuse of populism plays right in the hands of the far right
(Annoyingly, the app is not allowing me to tag colleagues, but follow them!)
theconversation.com/the-word-pop...
(Annoyingly, the app is not allowing me to tag colleagues, but follow them!)
theconversation.com/the-word-pop...
The word ‘populism’ is a gift to the far right – four reasons why we should stop using it
Extremists benefit when we use euphemisms that confer on them an air of legitimacy.
theconversation.com
October 4, 2025 at 7:39 AM
This short piece co-authored with Alex Yates shows why the misuse of populism plays right in the hands of the far right
(Annoyingly, the app is not allowing me to tag colleagues, but follow them!)
theconversation.com/the-word-pop...
(Annoyingly, the app is not allowing me to tag colleagues, but follow them!)
theconversation.com/the-word-pop...
Reposted by Daniel Balinhas
📢 Call open!
We are hiring a Postdoctoral Researcher for the EU-funded project TaCT-FoRSED, which studies how conspiracy theories affect democratic attitudes.
ℹ️ Info: tauler.seu-e.cat/detall?idEns...
🔗 Application: seleccio.uab.cat/seleccio/log...
We are hiring a Postdoctoral Researcher for the EU-funded project TaCT-FoRSED, which studies how conspiracy theories affect democratic attitudes.
ℹ️ Info: tauler.seu-e.cat/detall?idEns...
🔗 Application: seleccio.uab.cat/seleccio/log...
e-TAULER - Consorci Administració Oberta de Catalunya
e-TAULER - Consorci Administració Oberta de Catalunya
tauler.seu-e.cat
October 1, 2025 at 8:24 PM
📢 Call open!
We are hiring a Postdoctoral Researcher for the EU-funded project TaCT-FoRSED, which studies how conspiracy theories affect democratic attitudes.
ℹ️ Info: tauler.seu-e.cat/detall?idEns...
🔗 Application: seleccio.uab.cat/seleccio/log...
We are hiring a Postdoctoral Researcher for the EU-funded project TaCT-FoRSED, which studies how conspiracy theories affect democratic attitudes.
ℹ️ Info: tauler.seu-e.cat/detall?idEns...
🔗 Application: seleccio.uab.cat/seleccio/log...
Reposted by Daniel Balinhas
We have a new paper out with @gricoc.bsky.social in @jwpp.bsky.social (this time I swear I am going to post the right link): www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
Sexism and the Gender Gap in Support for the Radical Right
Using survey data from Spain we show that the gender gap in the probability of voting for the radical-right party Vox is mainly due to men having higher levels of modern sexism than women. We find ...
www.tandfonline.com
September 24, 2025 at 5:14 PM
We have a new paper out with @gricoc.bsky.social in @jwpp.bsky.social (this time I swear I am going to post the right link): www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
Reposted by Daniel Balinhas
Reposted by Daniel Balinhas
🧲 We are hiring!
✨ PhD position to join @dec-gr.bsky.social
🏁 4-year FPI contract
🎓 Pol Sci / Social Sci background + Master’s + English
📧 Send expression of interest with CV and motivation letter to gr.dec@uab.cat
🔗 tinyurl.com/yc3epmv2
✨ PhD position to join @dec-gr.bsky.social
🏁 4-year FPI contract
🎓 Pol Sci / Social Sci background + Master’s + English
📧 Send expression of interest with CV and motivation letter to gr.dec@uab.cat
🔗 tinyurl.com/yc3epmv2
Call for expressions of interest for a PhD scholarship within the project GPOL – Democracy, Elections and Citizenship
tinyurl.com
September 17, 2025 at 9:22 AM
🧲 We are hiring!
✨ PhD position to join @dec-gr.bsky.social
🏁 4-year FPI contract
🎓 Pol Sci / Social Sci background + Master’s + English
📧 Send expression of interest with CV and motivation letter to gr.dec@uab.cat
🔗 tinyurl.com/yc3epmv2
✨ PhD position to join @dec-gr.bsky.social
🏁 4-year FPI contract
🎓 Pol Sci / Social Sci background + Master’s + English
📧 Send expression of interest with CV and motivation letter to gr.dec@uab.cat
🔗 tinyurl.com/yc3epmv2
Reposted by Daniel Balinhas
One of the reasons why people often prefer debating ("dining across the divide") with the far right than the left is that the former makes them feel good about themselves by comparison
Debates with/amongst the left bring up uncomfortable reflections about our participation in systems of oppression
Debates with/amongst the left bring up uncomfortable reflections about our participation in systems of oppression
September 13, 2025 at 8:47 AM
One of the reasons why people often prefer debating ("dining across the divide") with the far right than the left is that the former makes them feel good about themselves by comparison
Debates with/amongst the left bring up uncomfortable reflections about our participation in systems of oppression
Debates with/amongst the left bring up uncomfortable reflections about our participation in systems of oppression
Reposted by Daniel Balinhas
We cannot allow this to stand anymore! We have prepared a petition calling for a boycott of the next ISPP 2026 conference in Newcastle, UK, unless the Executive Committee resigns or responds to our concerns. Please read and sign the petition here: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
September 3, 2025 at 2:26 PM
We cannot allow this to stand anymore! We have prepared a petition calling for a boycott of the next ISPP 2026 conference in Newcastle, UK, unless the Executive Committee resigns or responds to our concerns. Please read and sign the petition here: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Reposted by Daniel Balinhas
While there can be no complacency in countering fascists on the streets, concerns about the far right must also be concerns about the role of mainstream politicians and media in shaping the reactionary agenda
aurelmondon.medium.com/the-people-l...
aurelmondon.medium.com/the-people-l...
‘The people’, ‘legitimate concerns’ and the far-right ‘protests’
Our understanding of the world, beyond the most direct elements in our personal life, is always mediated. In today’s information landscape…
aurelmondon.medium.com
August 30, 2025 at 7:07 AM
While there can be no complacency in countering fascists on the streets, concerns about the far right must also be concerns about the role of mainstream politicians and media in shaping the reactionary agenda
aurelmondon.medium.com/the-people-l...
aurelmondon.medium.com/the-people-l...
Reposted by Daniel Balinhas
New article out!
@luke-shuttleworth.bsky.social,
@k8ebrown.bsky.social & I teamed up to explore whether the concept of 'cordon sanitaire' remains useful in the current stage of mainstreaming of far right politics
Read the full article, open access, here
1/
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
@luke-shuttleworth.bsky.social,
@k8ebrown.bsky.social & I teamed up to explore whether the concept of 'cordon sanitaire' remains useful in the current stage of mainstreaming of far right politics
Read the full article, open access, here
1/
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
The pretence of the cordon sanitaire: non-collaboration as a distraction from discursive congruence
Much has been written about how mainstream parties respond to far-right challengers in liberal democracies. Whereas some mainstream parties have become more open to forming coalitions with far-righ...
www.tandfonline.com
August 21, 2025 at 3:17 PM
New article out!
@luke-shuttleworth.bsky.social,
@k8ebrown.bsky.social & I teamed up to explore whether the concept of 'cordon sanitaire' remains useful in the current stage of mainstreaming of far right politics
Read the full article, open access, here
1/
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
@luke-shuttleworth.bsky.social,
@k8ebrown.bsky.social & I teamed up to explore whether the concept of 'cordon sanitaire' remains useful in the current stage of mainstreaming of far right politics
Read the full article, open access, here
1/
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
Reposted by Daniel Balinhas
New from me and @yasemingacar.bsky.social in @uk.theconversation.com, summarising our recent work on the role of reappropriation/reclaiming stigmatising labels in identity politicisation, empowerment, and collective action.
theconversation.com/why-people-r...
theconversation.com/why-people-r...
Why people reclaim words meant to insult them – and how this has become a powerful tool for protest
Saying ‘yes, I’m queer’ or ‘yes, I’m fat’ isn’t just resistance, it can be the start of a political identity.
theconversation.com
August 12, 2025 at 7:00 PM
New from me and @yasemingacar.bsky.social in @uk.theconversation.com, summarising our recent work on the role of reappropriation/reclaiming stigmatising labels in identity politicisation, empowerment, and collective action.
theconversation.com/why-people-r...
theconversation.com/why-people-r...
For those interested in ‘polarization’ and political conflict, check this interview by @reacpolrn.bsky.social. I discuss why we need critical approaches to political polarization beyond ahistorical & depoliticizing calls for social harmony. Many thanks to @aurelmondon.bsky.social for the interview!
📣New interview📣
''Polarisation’ is used not only by those concerned with democratic erosion, but also by those seeking to protect ‘really existing (neo)liberalism’ from democratic critique'
@daniel-balinhas.bsky.social discusses his critical approach to 'polarisation'
reacpol.net/critical-pol...
''Polarisation’ is used not only by those concerned with democratic erosion, but also by those seeking to protect ‘really existing (neo)liberalism’ from democratic critique'
@daniel-balinhas.bsky.social discusses his critical approach to 'polarisation'
reacpol.net/critical-pol...
Interview: Bringing critical social psychology to the study of political polarization (Daniel Balinhas) - Reactionary Politics Research Network
This interview is based on Daniel Balinhas's article 'Bringing critical social psychology to the study of political polarization' (2025)
reacpol.net
August 12, 2025 at 5:25 PM
For those interested in ‘polarization’ and political conflict, check this interview by @reacpolrn.bsky.social. I discuss why we need critical approaches to political polarization beyond ahistorical & depoliticizing calls for social harmony. Many thanks to @aurelmondon.bsky.social for the interview!
Reposted by Daniel Balinhas
It's crucial to counter claims that polarisation (much like populism) is always bad
The middle ground between racism and anti-racism, transphobia and trans rights, genocide and anti-genocide is complicit with racism, transphobia and genocide rather than the "reasonable" position
The middle ground between racism and anti-racism, transphobia and trans rights, genocide and anti-genocide is complicit with racism, transphobia and genocide rather than the "reasonable" position
July 24, 2025 at 1:46 PM
It's crucial to counter claims that polarisation (much like populism) is always bad
The middle ground between racism and anti-racism, transphobia and trans rights, genocide and anti-genocide is complicit with racism, transphobia and genocide rather than the "reasonable" position
The middle ground between racism and anti-racism, transphobia and trans rights, genocide and anti-genocide is complicit with racism, transphobia and genocide rather than the "reasonable" position
Reposted by Daniel Balinhas
New publication from me in Political Psychology on the phenomenon of the rise in applications for Irish passports post-Brexit and how such applicants negotiate discourses of citizenship and identity: onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
“I feel I should put that work in”: Discourses of effortfulness and essentialism among post‐Brexit applicants for Irish citizenship
This article explores the post-Brexit increase in applications for Irish passports through descent, and in so doing, seeks to develop a social/political psychology of diasporic citizenship. It draws ....
onlinelibrary.wiley.com
September 2, 2024 at 4:36 PM
New publication from me in Political Psychology on the phenomenon of the rise in applications for Irish passports post-Brexit and how such applicants negotiate discourses of citizenship and identity: onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...