How In-Person Conversations Shape Political Polarization: Quasi-Experimental Evidence from a Nationwide Initiative

Ximeng Fang (), Sven Heuser () and Lasse S. Stötzer ()
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Ximeng Fang: Saïd Business School, University of Oxford
Sven Heuser: FraunhoferInstitute for Intelligent Analysis and Information Systems IAIS
Lasse S. Stötzer: Institute on Behavior and Inequality (briq)

No 270, ECONtribute Discussion Papers Series from University of Bonn and University of Cologne, Germany

Abstract: Growing political polarization is often attributed to “echo chambers” among likeminded individuals and a lack of social interactions among contrary-minded individuals. We provide quasi-experimental evidence on the effects of in-person conversations on individual-level polarization outcomes, studying a large-scale intervention in Germany that matched pairs of strangers for private face-to-face meetings to discuss divisive political issues. We find asymmetric effects: conversations with like-minded individuals caused political views to become more extreme (ideological polarization); by contrast, conversations with contrary-minded individuals did not lead to a convergence of political views, but significantly reduced negative beliefs and attitudes toward ideological out-group members (affective polarization), while also improving perceived social cohesion more generally. These effects of contrary-minded conversations seem to be driven mostly by positive experiences of interpersonal contact.

Keywords: polarization; intergroup contact; behavioral political economy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: C99 D90 J15 Z13 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 76 pages
Date: 2023-12
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-cdm and nep-exp
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:ajk:ajkdps:270

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