Political and emotional polarization in Spain: an exploratory systematic review

Abstract

Political polarization has become one of the most extensively studied phenomena in contemporary Spain, particularly following the intensification of public debate over the past decade. This article presents a systematic exploratory review (scoping review) of academic literature published between 2020 and 2025, with the aim of mapping the main thematic lines, theoretical frameworks, methodological approaches, and analytical trends in the study of polarization in Spain, as well as identifying research gaps.The analysis of 25 articles shows that Spanish scholarship conceptualizes polarization as a multifaceted phenomenon, with particular emphasis on its affective and ideological dimensions. The reviewed literature assigns a relevant role to political, media, and digital actors in shaping confrontational dynamics, highlighting social media platforms—especially X—as environments that may facilitate the amplification of polarizing discourse. The so-called “culture wars” around identity-related issues emerge as recurrent axes of analysis. The studies examined tend to interpret polarization as having significant implications for the quality of public debate and institutional functioning, while paying comparatively limited attention to potential functional or ambivalent effects. Overall, the literature privileges diagnostic approaches over comparative, longitudinal, or intervention-oriented research. This article provides an updated systematic map of the field, contributing to clarifying the current state of knowledge and outlining avenues for future research.