Geopolitical events and their influence on voter behavior and electoral dynamics

The field of political behavior studies is presently witnessing a surge in interest regarding the interplay between geopolitical developments and voting patterns. In recent years, the longstanding dominance of socio-structural determinants in shaping voter turnout and choices has been increasingly challenged by the acute influence of campaign-period issues, many of which are rooted in unfolding global events. While earlier debate centered on cultural or ideological values—such as immigration or attitudes toward supranational institutions—the most recent decade has seen a marked shift whereby geopolitical crises, notably Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine and subsequent global conflicts, have vaulted to the forefront of political discourse. This shift has compelled parties to strategically realign their issue stances and framing strategies, inviting new debates about whether geopolitical turbulence is now the primary driver of mobilization and electoral behavior.This Research Topic aims to investigate how recent geopolitical events and evolving global tensions have reshaped both voter demand and political party supply in electoral competition. Specifically, it seeks to clarify the mechanisms through which parties frame international crises to influence public opinion, voter confidence, and voter turnout. The goal is to better understand how voters re-evaluate traditional allegiances under the pressure of rapidly evolving external threats and to examine the cascading implications for democratic legitimacy, policy outcomes, and the relationship between national and supranational political actors.The research topic is broadly defined to include comparative or single-case studies, as well as theoretical and empirical analyses, but is limited to works examining the interplay between contemporary geopolitical developments and electoral behaviors or outcomes from the 2020s onward. To gather further insights into these boundaries, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:- Analysis of geopolitical influences on voter turnout and electoral behavior- Examination of political parties’ framing and communication strategies in conflict-driven elections- Transformation and adaptation of electoral campaigns in response to international crises- Comparative studies of changing voting behavior across nations or within single-country contexts over time- Impact of geopolitical events on the legitimacy, policies, and public perceptions of national and supranational governments- Evolution of voter trust and confidence in political actors amidst geopolitical instability Topic editors: Andrea Marchesi, Andrea Scavo Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/80045/geopolitical-events-and-their-influence-on-voter-behavior-and-electoral-dynamics