%0 Journal Article
%T Which way from left to right? On the relation between voters＊ issue preferences and left每right orientation in West European democracies
%A Romain Lachat
%J International Political Science Review
%@ 1460-373X
%D 2018
%R 10.1177/0192512117692644
%X The left每right scale is the concept most often used to describe citizens＊ and parties＊ political positions. Its prevalence suggests that political preferences are structured by a single ideological dimension. However, much research shows that citizens＊ issue preferences in Western Europe are structured by two dimensions: economic; and social每cultural. How can a single dimension be sufficient to orient oneself in a two-dimensional political space? This article suggests a solution to this paradox: among citizens, the left每right scale and more concrete political issues are related in a non-linear way. Economic issue preferences should be more strongly related to ideological differences among left-wing citizens (e.g. between extreme-left and centre-left citizens) than among right-wing individuals. The reverse pattern should characterize the relation between sociocultural issues and ideological self-placement. The analysis of 28 elections in five West European countries offers strong support for the hypothesis of a non-linear relation
%K Left每right scale
%K political issues
%K political space
%K Western Europe
%U https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0192512117692644