Replication Data for: The Distance Between Us: The Role of Ideological Proximity in Shaping Perceptions of Inter-Partisan Relationships

Escalating hostility between partisans threatens democratic governance and social cohesion by eroding trust and fuelling discriminatory behaviour towards opposing groups. This study delves into how people perceive the relations between different partisan groups and why certain pairs of partisans are viewed as friendlier or more hostile toward one another. Drawing on similarity-attraction theory in social psychology and affective polarization research, I argue that citizens perceive the relationship as more friendly between individuals who support ideologically similar parties. The claim is tested and empirically supported by using a novel survey item, which asks about the likelihood of two partisans becoming good friends, in three multiparty democracies: Canada, Germany, and the UK. The findings suggest that parties’ ideological proximity not only shapes citizens’ perceptions of parties themselves but also influences their views of fellow citizens across party lines. By demonstrating that people consider party proximity and ideological alignment when gauging inter-partisan relations, the study sheds light on how ideological and affective dimensions intertwine within these relationships in multiparty democracies.