Political Polarization Research Articles

College Educated Religious Conservatives’ Support for Capital Punishment

Abstract Higher education is associated with reduced support for capital punishment among white Americans. Conservative religion, however, is associated with moral foundations and schemas that lead to greater support for capital punishment, which we expect moderate the association between education and views of capital punishment. Using nationally representative survey data, we found that the negative association between higher education and support for the death penalty was attenuated for white religious conservatives. This finding did not apply to nonwhite Americans. We conclude with a discussion of how the moral worldview associated with conservative religion may affect the future of capital punishment, by addressing how the association between higher education and views of capital punishment is contingent on other individual and contextual factors, and by situating the results within the contemporary American context that is characterized by political polarization and the decline of religion.

Can we work it out? Affordances and constraints for cultivating perspective‐taking in digital contexts

AbstractBackgroundThe rising importance of digital technologies in everyday communication has played a key role in processes of political polarization and rising mistrust and intolerance. We suggest this crisis could be productively conceptualized as a crisis in perspective‐taking—the tendency and competency to actively consider others' mental and emotional states.ObjectivesThis conceptual paper sets out to propose a theoretical framework that identifies the key affordances of digital platforms for promoting perspective‐taking in formal educational settings (K‐12 and higher education): (1) connecting diverse individuals, (2) simulating interactions with other perspectives and (3) supporting the articulation and sharing of perspectives.MethodsRather than summarizing the state of existing research, this paper aims to offer a novel conceptualization that allows unpacking the interplay between research on perspective‐taking and work on the affordances and constraints of digital media. We identify the three key affordances outlined above, exemplifying them by focusing on one type of digital tool and comparing them along two axes: (i) the depth vs. diversity of interactions it supports and (ii) its cultivation of intergroup perspective‐taking vs. interpersonal perspective‐taking.Results and ConclusionsThis framework, we argue, articulates the advantages and limitations of digital tools towards engagement in perspective‐taking, while providing a conceptual roadmap, and practical considerations, for researchers and practitioners interested in cultivating digitally mediated perspective‐taking in educational settings.

Political polarization and health.

In addition to social determinants of health, such as economic resources, education, access to care and various environmental factors, there is growing evidence that political polarization poses a substantial risk to individual and collective well-being. Here we review the impact of political polarization on public health. We describe the different forms of polarization and how they are connected to health outcomes, highlighting the COVID-19 pandemic as a case study of the health risks of polarization. We then offer strategies for mitigating potential harms associated with polarization, with an emphasis on building social trust. Finally, we propose future research directions on this topic, underscore the need for more work in a global context and encourage greater collaboration between social scientists and medical scientists. We conclude that polarization is a serious-if largely overlooked-determinant of health, whose impacts must be more thoroughly understood and mitigated.

Local Newspaper Decline and Political Polarization – Evidence from a Multi-Party Setting

Abstract How does the decline of traditional news outlets affect political polarization? We provide novel evidence on this question by examining the link between local newspaper exits, media consumption, and electoral behaviour in a multiparty setting. Our empirical analysis combines a unique panel of all German local newspapers between 1980 and 2009, electoral returns, and an annual media consumption survey of more than 670,000 respondents. Using a difference-in-differences design, we demonstrate that local newspaper exits increase electoral polarization. Additional analysis points to changes in media consumption as the underlying mechanism driving this result: following local news exits, consumers substitute local news with national tabloid news. Our findings extend prior results in the US context to a multiparty setting and shed new light on the causal chain running from changing local news landscapes to electoral behaviour.

Small localities, large conflicts: radical right parties and the politics of integration policymaking in two European medium-sized towns

ABSTRACT Integration policies emerged as a critical focus of local policymaking in smaller towns, driven not only by migration trends in these areas, but also by the growing political influence of local radical right parties (RRPs). This trend occurred across various European countries, including Belgium and Italy, raising new questions about the impact on policy formation of locally embedded RRPs and the social and political polarisation dynamics which foster their growth. Despite growing scholarly attention to the role of local actors in shaping integration policies, these dynamics have mostly been studied in large cities. Therefore, this article aims to explore the effects of RRPs’ rise on integration policies in Ninove (Belgium) and Fermo (Italy), two diversifying and deindustrialising medium-sized towns governed by liberal coalitions, but with a strong opposition presence of RRPs. Adopting a comparative perspective, it utilises document analysis of national and local integration policymaking, complemented by 34 interviews with local actors. The results show that RRPs shape local agenda setting and local governing parties respond by creating policy ambiguity around policies targeting migrants. Specifically, they invest in policies that aim to support integration, but make sustained attempts to disguise that migrants are the target population for these policies.

Deceptively simple: An outsider's perspective on natural language processing

AbstractThis article highlights a collection of ideas with an underlying deceptive simplicity that addresses several practical challenges in computational social science and generative AI safety. These ideas lead to (1) an interpretable and quantifiable framework for political polarization; (2) a language identifier robust to noisy social media text settings; (3) a cross‐lingual semantic sampler that harnesses code‐switching; and (4) a bias audit framework that uncovers shocking racism, antisemitism, misogyny, and other biases in a wide suite of large language models.

'Political Role in Journalism': Issues and Challenges in Nepal and Beyond

This paper examines the intricate connection between politics and journalism, highlighting the difficulties and effects of political influence on journalistic practices. The study shows, through a review of the, statement of problem, study of object and literature, that political beliefs have a major influence on media narratives, which frequently results in skewed reporting. The study is dependence of self-censorship, especially in authoritarian regimes. The crucial role that journalism plays in influencing public opinion and its consequences for democratic processes are also covered in this essay. It also draws attention to the difficulties that journalists encounter in politically delicate situations, such as censorship, physical threats, and legal constraints. The results highlight the necessity for journalistic independence and integrity to support democratic processes, as well as the dual role that media plays as a safeguard for democracy and a possible conduit for political influence. The study highlights the role that independent journalism plays in defending democratic norms in Nepal and notes the challenges that journalists confront in upholding impartiality and moral standards in the face of political polarization.

Voter Perceptions: A Segmentation and Positioning Analysis of the US Political Climate

Today’s political climate is turbulent and polarized. It appears that liberals and conservatives and their respective parties are continuing to grow further apart ideologically, making it increasingly difficult to work together for the good of our country. Marketing researchers use segmentation and positioning analysis to gain a better understanding of consumers’ perceptions to increase their success in the marketplace. In this paper, we demonstrate that these same multivariate methods can be used to investigate the current political climate. Across three samples, we find support for political polarization based on voters’ views of important political issues. We also find that although the political parties align well with their ideologically typical issues, the presidential candidates (Trump and Biden) do not align well with the issues or their parties. This leads to the conclusion that they may not the best candidates for their parties or the voters. Consumer centric marketers want to help consumers make better decisions so that they are more satisfied with their consumption choices. Ideally, politicians should also want to help voters make better decisions so that voters are more satisfied with their choices of who is best suited to lead our country. The primary contribution of this paper is to demonstrate the application and benefits of using two common marketing analytics methodologies in the investigation of important political issues and voter perceptions. Additionally, this paper also provides practical implications that are applicable to political scientists, political practitioners, and voters.

Status of Elderly People in Chandragiri Municipality of Kathmandu

This paper examines the intricate connection between politics and journalism, highlighting the difficulties and effects of political influence on journalistic practices. The study shows, through a review of the, statement of problem, study of object and literature, that political beliefs have a major influence on media narratives, which frequently results in skewed reporting. The study is dependence of self-censorship, especially in authoritarian regimes. The crucial role that journalism plays in influencing public opinion and its consequencesfor democratic processes are also covered in this essay. It also draws attention to the difficulties that journalists encounter in politically delicate situations, such as censorship, physical threats, and legal constraints. The results highlight the necessity for journalistic independence and integrity to support democratic processes, as well as the dual role that media plays as a safeguard for democracy and a possible conduit for political influence. The study highlights the role that independent journalism plays in defending democratic norms in Nepal and notes the challenges that journalists confront in upholding impartiality and moral standards in the face of political polarization.

Food for (political) thought: political inferences from apolitical cues and their social consequences in Italy

ABSTRACT US-based research showed that individuals rely on apolitical cues, like cars or clothes, to form expectations about others’ political preferences. This article uses the concept of ‘politicultural linking’ — producing inferences about others from the perceived alignment between apolitical and political preferences — observing this behavior in Italy, a multi-party European context, through a survey vignette experiment on food preferences. We find that respondents associate vegan/ethnic foods with the political left and carnivore foods with the right. Moreover, ideological self-placement, news media exposure, and cultural consumption are associated with respondents’ willingness to do politicultural linking. Finally, we observe that this behavior affects the propensity to interact and converse with others, with implications for social distance and political polarization dynamics.

When Disagreement Becomes Uncivil on Social Media: The Role of Passive Receiving and Active Expression of Incivility in Influencing Political Polarization

Exposure to cross-cutting viewpoints may not always play the deliberative role it is supposed to. This study uses both panel survey and social media data to examine how disagreement can trigger incivility, including exposure to and expression of incivility, and further elicit emotions and influence polarization. Results from the two-wave panel survey indicate that cross-cutting exposure has a polarizing effect first through promoting exposure to uncivil messages and expression of uncivil opinions, then through negative emotions. Notably, cross-cutting exposure can indirectly reduce polarization by first encouraging expression of uncivil opinions and then eliciting positive emotions, highlighting the importance of active expression. Analysis of data from the Hong Kong-based discussion forum HKDisc demonstrates that cross-cutting exposure is positively related to exposure to uncivil messages, and exposure to and expression of incivility predict polarization regardless of whether positive or negative emotions are detected in the uncivil content. This study provides empirical evidence of the effects of cross-cutting exposure and incivility on polarization at the individual and collective levels.

The elephant in the room? Considerations of politics among older adult daters

AbstractA sharply polarized political climate may increase the importance single adults place on politics in partner selection. While the importance of politics in dating decisions is not surprising in light of homophily, less is known about how older adults consider political differences in partnering. We answer two questions about older daters and politics: (1) How do older adult daters consider potential partners' political views? and (2) How do perceptions of rising political polarization shape these preferences? We use interview data with 67 adults (aged 55–92) from the Romance and Dating in Later Life study, conducted in Phoenix, AZ, in 2022–2023. Findings show politics are highly salient in partner selection across gender, class, and ideology, suggesting older singles place substantial importance on political views when choosing partners. Many older singles prioritize shared beliefs, while others practice open‐mindedness. Extremist politics, particularly right‐leaning, are viewed as a significant barrier to dating. This study demonstrates how older daters consider political beliefs in dating decisions, particularly considering perceptions of rising polarization. This contributes to research highlighting the role of political ideology in shaping dating decisions by extending the research to include explicit study of mid‐ and late‐life adults, whose dating experiences differ from young adult singles.

Mass polarisation: identification with parliamentary discourses and psychological factors

ABSTRACT Ideological polarisation research has gained prominence due to its growing presence in established democracies and its associated negative consequences. This study aimed to explore the identification with polarised parliamentary discourses in a Portuguese sample and its relationship with psychological factors. Results revealed the absence of mass ideological polarisation and a greater leftist identification. Participants who identified more with the right-wing evidenced greater identity fusion with the country and dogmatism, and less tendency to ruminate and to be verbally aggressive. Participants who identified more with the left-wing showed less identity fusion with the country, less dogmatism and greater capacity for empathy, rumination, tolerance to ambiguity, and verbal aggression. Innovative results were also found on the relationship between greater left-wing identification, identity fusion with the country and verbal aggression.

Challenges of Collaborative Government Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Study of Factors and Cases in the United States

This study examines challenges of collaborative government response to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States. The study provides a review of theoretical issues about collaboration in disaster management and public health to identify influential factors, such as governance structure, effective leadership, public communication, and political polarization, to the collaboration. Based on the document analysis method, the study examines practical cases, academic studies and public opinion data that are related to these challenging factors. The study concludes with discussions about lessons of the COVID pandemic challenge and suggestions for future studies of collaborative governance response to public crises.

Trust and accountability in times of crisis

AbstractThe COVID‐19 pandemic took place against the backdrop of growing political polarization and distrust in institutions. Did deficiencies in government performance further erode trust? Did citizens' ideology interfere with how they processed information on government performance? To investigate, we conducted a pre‐registered online experiment in Spain in November 2020. The treatment group was provided with information on the number of contact tracers in their region, a policy under the control of regional governments. We find that individuals greatly overestimate the number of contact tracers. When we provide the actual number, we find declines in trust in governments, willingness to fund public institutions, and COVID‐19 vaccine acceptance. We also find that individuals endogenously change their attribution of responsibilities when receiving the treatment. In regions where the regional and central governments are ruled by different parties, sympathizers of the regional incumbent react to the negative news on performance by attributing greater responsibility to the central government. We call this the ‘blame‐shifting effect’. In these regions, the negative information does not reduce voting intention for the regional incumbent government. These results suggest that political accountability may be particularly difficult in settings with high polarization and where areas of responsibility are not clearly delineated.

Political polarization and corruption: A theoretical and empirical review

Notwithstanding the considerable scholarly and public attention that political polarization and corruption have attracted in recent years and the important mechanisms through which the former may influence the latter, research in this area remains limited and inconclusive. This article offers a comprehensive theoretical and empirical synthesis of the current state of research in this domain. It finds that a large fraction of the apparent contradictions can be attributed to the conceptual inconsistencies and ambiguity surrounding political polarization. The types of polarization that have an inherently hostile and uncivil element (usually referred to as affective or pernicious polarization) undermine democratic accountability, which leads to more corruption. The role of ideological polarization among parties and the general population is more complex: it may boost accountability and decrease corruption but can also contribute to the aforementioned harmful forms of polarization and enhance the role of partisan bias in public opinion formation, thereby increasing corruption. The overall effect of ideological polarization on corruption may depend on the nature and the degree of the former, as well as on mitigating contextual factors. The two may create a vicious circle as corruption also increases political polarization via various channels.

Political polarization, legitimacy and democratic education

ABSTRACT Political polarization is often argued to be a major threat to democracy. This article examines whether the two different forms of polarization, ideological and affective, may risk some of the core assumptions of democratic legitimacy. The paper argues that ideological polarization is linked with increasingly radical ideological positions being accepted as legitimate contributions to democratic processes, which may lead to the erosion of the democratic culture of society. Affective polarization, in turn, presents a risk to the type of political collaboration that characterizes legitimate democratic processes. The article presents some remarks on how these forms of polarization could be pre-emptively addressed in education: first, by demonstrating to students the practical consequences of neglecting the core democratic principles of toleration (Forst) and reciprocity (Rawls) in society; and second, through forms of political action that engage students’ political emotions in support of democratic principles and way of life in a nonpartisan way.

Political stability in authoritarian regimes: the case of Central Asia

ABSTRACT Existing research indicates that political stability is a prerequisite for good governance and economic development in Central Asia. All five countries in the region are authoritarian regimes but it is unclear which factors impact on political stability. Using data for the period 2002–2022, this paper examines the variables which make a significant contribution to political stability and finds that the rule of law, personalist rule, a free media, freedom of assembly, political polarization and gross domestic product (GDP) growth, respectively have a positive effect on political stability while government accountability, exclusions by social group and civil society participation have a negative effect. Some of the findings are at odds with other studies on autocratic regimes, illustrating the importance of geo-political context.

College Student Political Participation in the Context of a Polarized Nation and an International Pandemic: Do Campus Civic Engagement Efforts Matter?

U.S. universities devote substantial resources to increasing student political engagement, especially voting; research identifies several factors affecting student political participation, including socialization theories (e.g. family, friends, school), distance from home (Niemi and Hanmer), and choice architecture (Thaler, Sunstein, and Balz). Other research suggests that increased party polarization leads to higher voter turnout (Abramowitz and Stone; Crepaz). Our study sought to understand student political behavior (voting and registration) and political polarization during fall 2020 in the context of a polarized nation and an international pandemic. Based on 326 surveys of undergraduates and in-depth follow-up interviews, where 85% of our student sample reported voting, results suggest support for several factors that contribute to voting: level of political information efficacy, participation in campus organizations and events, friends, and family. On measures of social distance (“polarization”), participants felt more distant from Trump and less distant from Biden, and participants who felt closer to Biden felt significantly more prepared to vote than participants who felt distant to Biden. Surprisingly, minority students were less likely to vote. A second analysis compared a subsample of student fraternity/sorority members (“Greek” members) from 2016 and those from 2020. The 2020 Greek members voted at higher rates and were more active on social media although voter registration rates did not differ. Results suggest that several factors contributed to student voting in our sample: parent/family encouragement, a cultivated campus voting culture, campus outreach efforts to first year students, and increased voting avenues during the pandemic.

Countering Political Polarization Through Conscious and Unconscious Integrative Complexity

Political polarization has been growing in many countries, including the United States, within recent years. Scholars note how, if not addressed, growing trends can compromise fundamental pillars of a functioning democratic society. While efforts have grown in researching how integrative complexity can successfully mitigate polarizing tensions in political divides, there is a lack of scholarly attention on how conscious and unconscious dimensions of integrative complexity affect such processes. This article proposes a framework to ground future research in this direction as well as inform depolarizing interventions on this topic.