Is polarization really a problem?

Issue 108: SUPER TUESDAY EDITION: We discuss new research on polarization and revisit our polarization podcast and documentary from one year ago

With the US Presidential Election on the horizon, there has been a great deal of discussion about the corrosive effects of political polarization and the potential threat to democracy. A new Ipsos poll suggests that nearly one quarter of Americans think political extremism and threats to democracy are two of the biggest threats facing the country. This is hardly an American issue as many other countries around the world are dealing with similar issues.

We have been studying and writing about these problems for several years. In fact, Jay published a paper with several other social and political scientists a couple years ago noting that out-party hate is now a stronger force than in-party love (see our figure below). We argued that a poisonous cocktail of othering, aversion, and moralization —which we called “Political Sectarianism” poses a unique threat to democracy.

We have new research suggesting that political sectarianism may be even more harmful to society and closely linked to a…