Overcoming political polarization: Strategies for diminishing intransigence and reducing intergroup animus

Abstract

Data from over 25,000 nationally representative respondents to an online survey conducted in 22 countries were analyzed to understand the predictors and potential mitigators of political polarization. The analysis yielded two key findings. First, perceiving that your country is very divided on key societal issues is not by itself enough to generate affective polarization, the state in which groups that differ ideologically feel hostile toward each other and are unwilling to collaborate in constructive problem-solving: a belief that the ideological divisions are not likely to be overcome is also required. This finding suggests that affective polarization may be mitigated by new types of interventions that try to change perceptions of the dispute itself rather than views of the combatants. Instead of attempting to decrease intergroup animus, such interventions would aim to increase confidence or engagement in dispute-resolution processes. Second, employers were the only institution examined that were able to garner the trust of people who saw their country’s ideological divisions as insurmountable. This ability puts employers in a unique position to address polarization durably and at scale, especially when it comes to interventions centered on fostering positive interactions.