Study Reveals Antipathy Towards Marginalised Groups In Switzerland

(MENAFN- Swissinfo) A new study on polarisation in Switzerland has found that trust in Swiss institutions is poor, while emotional or affective polarisation – emotional rifts between groups – is high. This content was published on March 26, 2025 - 09:00 5 minutes

As a reporter I cover developments in democracy where the Swiss perspective becomes relevant. I am Swiss and have long been fascinated by the way public discussions shape society.

• More from this auth
• German Departme

• Deutsch de Neue Studie zur Polarisierung: Antipathien gegen Randgruppen sind in der Schweiz verbreitet Original Read more: Neue Studie zur Polarisierung: Antipathien gegen Randgruppen sind in der Schweiz verbreite
• Português pt Antipatia por grupos marginalizados é generalizada na Suíça Read more: Antipatia por grupos marginalizados é generalizada na Suíç
• 中文 zh 瑞士人真的那么相信他们的政府吗? Read more: 瑞士人真的那么相信他们的政府吗

The studyExternal link , conducted by the University of Bern for the Pro Futuris think tank and the Mercator Foundation, found that 70% of respondents believe social cohesion in Switzerland has declined in recent years.

While many people claim to be keen to converse with individuals who hold different opinions to their own, the reality is very different, the study published on March 21 shows: over one in five respondents admitted they hadn't done so over the past month.

People in Switzerland are not only polarised regarding specific issues, the study shows; the divides are also emotional. Supporters of political parties sympathise with like-minded people and disapprove of those who think differently.

External Content

This can be seen most clearly among supporters of the right-wing Swiss People's Party, closely followed by those of the left-wing Social Democratic Party. The centre and centre-right parties are more moderate in this regard. However, supporters of the Green Liberal Party show the greatest disapproval of the People's Party.

Emotional antipathy towards climate activists and asylum seekers

The report also examined respondents' feelings about political and social groups. It found that climate activists are only appreciated by supporters of the Green Party, while those on the political right strongly dislike environmental campaigners.

The rejection of opponents of Covid-19 pandemic measures is equally forceful. Asylum-seekers and the very rich are also strongly disliked, the report found.

External Content

Emotional polarisation has grown massively in the United States over the last ten years. Even before the recent change of government, political scientists there were concerned that the growing antipathy towards the opposing political camp was jeopardising democracy.

In Switzerland, a study conducted last year by the University of Basel, based on a Swiss Broadcasting Corporation (SBC) survey, concluded that emotional polarisation had hardly changed in the past 20 years.

The new polarisation study does not contradict this finding, Ivo Scherrer from Pro Futuris told SWI swissinfo.“The aim is to take a detailed look at the emotional polarisation in Switzerland today,” he said.

More More Trump, Biden and hatred: how US polarisation affects Americans in Switzerland

This content was published on Jul 20, 2024 A Republican, Democrat and Independent living in Switzerland describe the emotional divide in US politics.

Read more: Trump, Biden and hatred: how US polarisation affects Americans in Switzerlan

MENAFN26032025000210011054ID1109360651