The changing relevance and meaning of left and right in 34 party systems from 1945 to 2020

Abstract The extent to which the left–right dimension still structures party systems in highly developed, industrialized democracies is a contested field comparative politics. Most studies this area take position that stable and universal either most important game town or has become obsolete replaced by other policy dimensions. Although country-specific focusing on voters’ self-placement discover different meanings of left right vary between countries change over time, few macro-comparative parties governments aspect into account. Using concept for politics from PIP project Parties, Institutions Preferences distinguishes an ideological core derived political theory, as well country- time-specific issues uncovered through empirical analysis, article demonstrates fundamental differences relevance meaning analyzing 34 1945 2020. shows thesis decline premature. An continued high fact changes their including controversial such European integration, migration environmental degradation.