Preventing extreme polarization of political attitudes
1–10 of 316 posts
Re: Preventing extreme polarization of political attitudes
#2Fascinating paper. And nice job with the model!
> Strictly limiting exposure to dissimilar views, however, is an effective mechanism for avoiding rapid polarization (Figs. 4 and 5). This may, at first, appear contrary to practical experience: Encouraging interactions among those with different views might be expected to decrease polarization by fostering increased tolerance.
Lots of interesting points in there.
Re: Preventing extreme polarization of political attitudes
#3We are past the point when preventing polarization was possible. Now we are near the end of the path one political side brought us, with the other fighting against that.
One side will win and will establish the rules the society will follow for the next decades.
Re: Preventing extreme polarization of political attitudes
#4Bad political science + virtuoso use of methodology but unsubstantiated + underlying US centrism
Polarization is a problem when you let a political system polarize. In other words, while in Europe multiple parties represented in parliament are the norm; in the US - a two-party state, naturally exacerbate the risk of polarization.
So, paradoxically, polarization is a problem of not enough variety in the political spectrum. Not too much difference.
Looking from abroad, democrats and republicans are almost the same. And this is the core of the problem, and the deeper root of polarization.
Re: Preventing extreme polarization of political attitudes
#5My country Bulgaria just had elections. The new government is a mix parties with completely different ideologies, one of them is considered very corrupt, another is considered populist. The thing is that the previous government was turning into one man dictatorship, and none of the other parties on their own could win. Some of the new parties seem to be competent. In any case it would be interesting to see if such model could work. Certainly it will be fragile, and the looming crisis will not help either.
Re: Preventing extreme polarization of political attitudes
#6[deleted]
Re: Preventing extreme polarization of political attitudes
#7We are past the point when preventing polarization was possible. Now we are near the end of the path one political side brought us, with the other fighting against that. One side will win and will establish the rules the society will follow for the next decades.
What would such a win look like from your perspective? Everything I have observed indicates the federal government operates as a pendulum. Voters for the party in power disappoint their base, while the opposition becomes more mobilized.
Re: Preventing extreme polarization of political attitudes
#8Fascinating paper. And nice job with the model! > Strictly limiting exposure to dissimilar views, however, is an effective mechanism for avoiding rapid polarization (Figs. 4 and 5). This may, at first, appear contrary to practical experience: Encouraging interactions among those with different views might be expected to decrease polarization by fostering increased tolerance. Lots of interesting points in there.
> Strictly limiting exposure to dissimilar views, however, is...
...not an effective mechanism for social media and news sites to make a profit, unfortunately.
Re: Preventing extreme polarization of political attitudes
#9My country Bulgaria just had elections. The new government is a mix parties with completely different ideologies, one of them is considered very corrupt, another is considered populist. The thing is that the previous government was turning into one man dictatorship, and none of the other parties on their own could win. Some of the new parties seem to be competent. In any case it would be interesting to see if such mo…
As far as I can tell the same has been happening in Israel since Netanyahu has lost his job, from the outside things seem to be holding, not sure how good or bad.
Re: Preventing extreme polarization of political attitudes
#10We are past the point when preventing polarization was possible. Now we are near the end of the path one political side brought us, with the other fighting against that. One side will win and will establish the rules the society will follow for the next decades.
What would such a win look like from your perspective? Everything I have observed indicates the federal government operates as a pendulum. Voters for the party in power disappoint their base, while the opposition becomes more mobilized.
It's not just about parties and voters. It's about two sides of society who became radicalized, leaving critical thinking for fundamentalism. The clashes within those two sides will grow in number and intensity. The conflict is fueling itself. There's nothing the politicians can do or will to defuse the situation.
And the world is much bigger than US. The fight is not only fought in US.