The Polarization Dynamic

Abstract

The challenge of sustaining democracy is complicated by the fact that political engagement exposes citizens to a cognitive and social dynamical force known as belief polarization that leads us to over-ascribe malicious motives, irrational ideas, and extreme commitments to those who we perceive to be political opponents. As we politically interact with our fellow partisans, we come to see those who do not share our political identity as untrustworthy, incompetent, and threatening. This gives rise to the democrat’s dilemma. However, belief polarization also infects our alliances, turning groups of like-minded people into increasingly homogeneous and conformist units that ultimately are internally hierarchical and unstable. The reason we have to sustain democracy with our foes is that unless we do so, we will not be able to sustain democracy among our allies.