The Nordic welfare states are built on mutual trust - but this trust is under pressure. International trends towards polarisation create hostility, conspiracy theories, radicalisation and hate speech. Ultimately, this can undermine the social contract and citizens' freedom. The project "In a divided time: Polarisation in Denmark and the Nordic countries" explores how humanities research can help understand and counteract these dynamics.
What is polarisation - and why is it dangerous?
Polarisation occurs when distrust and antipathy between groups grows. Global crises such as pandemics, climate change and war increase the need for simple explanations and clear distinctions between "us" and "them". Social media amplifies the trend through algorithms that reward conflict and emotional content, while generative AI makes it easier to spread false information. Even established media outlets are pressurised into clickbait and unbiased coverage, further sharpening the battle lines.
The main questions of the project
How does affective and identity-based polarisation manifest itself in Denmark and the Nordic countries - and how can humanities research help to understand, exploit and counteract it?
Taking an interdisciplinary approach, the project combines linguistics, media studies, history, aesthetics and ethics to analyse both destructive and constructive aspects of polarisation.
From hate speech to conspiracy theories - and the role of art
Conspiracy theories play another important role. They offer meaning-making narratives with heroes and villains and can reinforce group identities that legitimise extreme views. We analyse both conspiracy theorists and their opponents to understand how both sides contribute to polarisation.
The three themes of the project
-
Hate speech and propaganda
How linguistic attacks and othering appear in online debates about woke/antiwoke, the authorities' handling of the corona pandemic and the question of Greenland's independence - and how the response affects the level of conflict.
The researchers: Kim Ebensgaard Jensen, Tanya Karoli Christensen, Anne-Marie Søndergaard, Kasper Grotle Rasmussen.
- Conspiracy theories and extremism
How conspiracy theories and their opponents create polarisation and legitimise extreme views.
Researchers: Kasper Grotle Rasmussen, Line Nybro Petersen, Kim Ebensgaard Jensen, Kathrin Maurer.
- Aesthetics and public debate
How art and aesthetics can promote democratic dialogue and counteract polarisation.
The researchers: Kathrin Maurer, Tanya Karoli Christensen, Anne-Marie Søndergaard, Line Nybro Petersen.
Aesthetic strategies and democratic dialogue
At the same time, we explore how art can open new perspectives. Nordic contemporary art and international activist art - from Black Lives Matter to the Strangers Everywhere Biennale - show how aesthetic strategies can promote democratic dialogue and create spaces for reflection. We also look at how new technologies such as machine learning influence artistic expression and political discourses.
The research group collaborates with Nordic and international experts, NGOs and artists to develop knowledge and solutions to strengthen democracy in a divided age.
