The determination of the voters’ vote has not always moved along the same decision axes.
On some occasions the left-right dichotomy has weighed more. At other times or in specific places the centralism-autonomism axis has been more relevant. The dilemma between change and continuity, etc., may also be the protagonist.
These variations that occur in the voters’ decision axis automatically have consequences on the strategic and communicative position of the parties and political leaders.
Depending on the different decision axes of the voters, we can identify and analyze the different rivalries that arise in each political moment.
In Western countries that enjoy liberal democracies there is a growing connection and mutual influence. The great political dynamics, for better or worse, present greater mimicry between one country and another.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron hold a Coalition of the Willing meeting during a joint military visit to Northwood Headquarters on July 10, 2025 in London, England.
Reuters
We are seeing it these days, for example, with the libertarian positions of Trumpism and its influence and impact in other important countries like Argentina. Or how far-right parties are having greater electoral weight in Europe, with a contagion effect that can be observed very clearly.
When analyzing the major political dynamics in Western democracies and the evolution of citizen-voters in their electoral decision axes, it must be clear that the changes that occur do not respond solely to the spontaneous variation of voters.
The influence that the political parties themselves, the media and social networks generate in these changes is evident. Without forgetting the underlying importance of education, the country’s culture and the voters’ family and friendship environments.
In recent years, some have attempted to make the political debate revolve around a polarizing populist confrontation. Strategy that has resulted in significant success.
A new axis has become important. This is the axis that places citizens between those who see radicalism and polarized positions well and those who prefer moderation, common sense and constructive politics. Beyond the left or right ideology that one or the other has.
But let’s not get ahead of ourselves.
This situation of polarization and constant, direct and often personal confrontation is generating a strong saturation in an important part of Spanish society. And surely this also happens in other countries.
We are going to give peace, dialogue and negotiation a chance. If that fails we will see what to do
It is clearly observed in different indicators of the surveys that are published. When it is answered so many times that among the main problems of citizens are politics, politicians and corruption, it is evident that the situation is extreme.
I think we are passing the peak of the wave of populism, polarization, lies and manipulation. We are still at the top, but we are passing it. A large part of society is fed up with politicians constantly trying to force all-or-nothing positions against their rivals with arguments in their hands – or in their mouths.
We must prepare to respond to those who feel overwhelmed by this situation. At this moment, the new rivalries that are going to begin to operate are being defined.
There are three axes that will define the rivalries that will illuminate the future of the political, electoral and social debate during the coming decades in Western democratic countries: substance, form and attitude. Also in Spain.
The underlying positions and ideological programs will continue to be decisive.
The main rivalry of models is going to occur – or rather continue to occur – between the security and opportunity policies that we social democrats defend, and the so-called liberal policies that the libertarian or conservative right defends.
This is the classic left-right axis, with all the updates and incorporations that are occurring as a consequence of technological changes and changes in the social model and global relations.
A second rivalry is beginning to have more and more electoral prominence in mediatized and polarized societies: the forms in politics.
A new axis of location appears between populist-polarizing politics and moderate-constructive politics.
This new positioning scale is totally independent of the left-right axis. One can be radically left-wing and be located in the moderate space of forms. And vice versa. All possibilities are compatible.
“You can be populist-polarizing in the way you do politics and progressive in the content. And it is also perfectly possible to be moderate in the form and conservative in the political substance”
The third rivalry defines, for me, the most important thing in politics: the attitude in the exercise of power.
It is about the intensity with which ethics determines the actions of those who exercise power. Political behaviors can be more or less democratic and more or less honest. Lies, corruption, transparency or accountability are, among others, the elements that place each political figure on one side or the other in terms of their attitude in the exercise of power.
These three rivalries operate non-uniformly and independently of each other. And the possibility of combinations is total.
Being left-wing in the ideological axis does not guarantee being respectful in the axis of formsnor be honest in the exercise of power.
Likewise, one can be a populist-polarizer in the way of doing politics and at the same time progressive in the content of the policies. And it is also perfectly possible to be moderate-constructive in form and conservative-liberal in political substance.
And all of these options can be presented with an honest attitude or with ethically reprehensible management of power.
Surely the reader can find examples of left-wing politicians, very educated, but dishonest. Or badass in their ways, but at the same time honest and leftist. And the same on the right. All combinations are possible.
The way I see it, all ideological options that are democratic, regardless of their location on the left-right axis, are respectable.
Polite ways are desirable, while populist-polarizing ways are harmful. But in the axis of the ethical attitude, only honesty in the exercise of power is acceptable.
***Juan Lobato is a senator and State Treasury technician.