Research directions
Study of Elections and Direct Democratic Votes
The analysis of elections and voting is one of the traditional pillars of political science and one of the GREC's strengths. Its members study participation, abstention and voting by mobilising classical theories and electoral sociology, as well as more recent models derived from neighbouring disciplines, such as psychology and political communication. Research at the GREC aims to open up the analysis of electoral behaviour by integrating it into a broader reflection on the actors involved in the electoral process, whether they are partisans (political parties, candidates, etc.) or non-partisans (interest groups, movements, the media, etc.) Accordingly, the studies carried out at the GREC place critical emphasis on the context of campaigns, the game of political alliances, and the new tools deployed in electoral campaigns. To seize these relations in all their complexity, the centre sees itself as a platform for the exchange and development of new practical methodologies (such as online surveys, social media analysis and online longitudinal studies). The Select and Voto surveys conducted under the responsibility of FORS are another important resource available to members of the GREC.
Formation and Transformation of Opinions
The GREC also investigates the formation and transformation of values, attitudes and opinions. The members of the GREC wish to develop the study of these processes in the long and short term. In the long term, the analysis of longitudinal survey data is precious for understanding the changes or stability of individual attitudes, as well as the restructuring of divides and political anchorages at the aggregate level. In the short term, setting up experimental devices will allow us to approach certain aspects of the formation of opinions that are usually difficult to access through survey research, such as the genesis and empirical measurement of behaviours and socially "sensitive" attitudes (racism, homophobia, electoral abstention) or decision-making under media pressure (agenda-setting, priming, framing, etc.) This field of research at the GREC is evidently complementary to that of the study of elections and direct democratic votes.
Longitudinal Study of Political Practices
Research on political behaviour, whether it is linked to institutional or protest participation, is somewhat like a photography exhibition. Amidst these images taken at a given moment, some are interesting and instructive. Yet they remain snapshots, whereas political behaviours, and the phenomenon of political citizenship more generally, should be understood as a continuous process. Adhesion, political participation and disengagement but also the consequences of engagement are processes that unfold throughout the life of a citizen. Despite this, longitudinal studies are still rare in the research fields covered at the GREC. For this reason, the centre not only seeks to promote the research based on longitudinal data (like the Panel Suisse de Ménages/Swiss Household Panel), but also to develop investigative panels where political practices can be better understood.
Studies of Populism
Populism is heavily present in contemporary western democracies. The phenomenon is not recent but has been reinforced by the political and economic crises sweeping the western world. Nationalism, regionalism and populism today constitute key research fields at the GREC. What are the opportunities for action and election of the actors behind such movements? What alliances do they develop to enter office and develop their policies? Who are their fervent opponents capable of blocking their ascent in the public sphere? How are they structured? Do they transform following political and electoral successes? Who are their supporters and what are the reasons behind their support? Such questions drive research at the GREC.
