Replication Data for: Intentional Polarization Using extreme policies and ideology to promote democratic backsliding

Presidents engaged in democratic backsliding often adopt extreme ideologies and policies. We argue that this form of radicalization is intentional. Its aim is to exacerbate polarization, which itself is intended to help backsliding presidents bolster electoral support for power grabs. We first discuss the logic behind intentional polarization: Choosing extremism offers backsliding presidents a chance to unite their base, prompt the opposition to turn extreme and make errors, and shrink the supply of moderate voters. We then work with V-Dem and DEED data to show that ideological radicalization precedes backsliding. Our main conclusion is that polarization is often intentionally created or exacerbated by presidents as a strategy to defeat opposition to backsliding. This explains why cases of backsliding are often preceded by rising extremist policies and discourse on the part of presidents.