What the Truck? Political Polarization in Canada and Beyond

Political polarization is an increasing topic of concern for citizens around the world, rearing its head in everything from family get-togethers to university campuses and election campaigns.

The COVID-19 crisis demonstrated that polarization — extremes in opinions and/or an erosion of a more moderate political centre — can have real life-and-death consequences. Canada became a key symbol of these global trends due to the trucker convoy protest that made worldwide headlines in 2022. How to understand the source of polarization and how to best respond to this context is now an urgent question.

In this lecture, I demonstrate the emotional basis of polarization, as well as its international influences and effects, and argue that understanding and engaging with the affective dimensions of citizenship is central to developing strategies to reduce polarization in Canada and beyond.