Immigration as a polarizing issue in Spain

Abstract

Political polarisation is a phenomenon that has become increasingly relevant in recent decades, especially with regard to sensitive issues such as immigration, abortion, feminism and climate change. Traditionally, the concept of polarisation refers to the degree of division between groups or individuals based on political, economic, cultural, religious or ethnic factors. Although this phenomenon has been studied in the United States since the 1970s, its reproduction in Western democracies, especially in Europe, has been remarkable. Spain stands out as one of the most polarised countries in the Western world, along with Greece. In this context, immigration has emerged as one of the most divisive issues, due to the perceived threat it generates in identity and economic terms, exacerbating social and political tensions. This article sets out to analyse how polarisation around immigration has increased in recent years, highlighting the factors that contribute to this dynamic in the Spanish case.