The Microfoundations of Mass Polarization
Abstract
Although there has been considerable attention to the question ofhow muchpolarization there is in the mass electorate, there has been much less attention paid to themechanismthat causes polarization. I provide evidence demonstrating the occurrence of individual-level conversion—individual Democrats and Republicans becoming more liberal and conservative. Although over the short term most of the observed changes are quite small and cannot be distinguished from measurement error, over time and many respondents, these movements aggregate to generate polarization. Small individual-level preference shifts provide an important foundation for aggregate polarization.
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The extent to which elite-level polarization has influenced the belief systems of ordinary citizens remains a matter of debate.
“At the same time, the extent to which elite-level polarization has influenced the belief systems of ordinary citizens remains a matter of debate8,27,35–40.”
From Cognitive–motivational mechanisms of political polarization in social-communicative contexts (2022) · cites this paper as [35]
The literature on mass political polarization in the USA has yielded mixed findings about whether ordinary citizens are deeply divided, whether polarization threatens democratic functioning, and the nature of the threat.
“The body of literature on mass political polarization in the USA has yielded mixed findings: ordinary citizens are deeply divided9,31,35,41–49 or they are not10,29,36,50–54; polarization poses a huge threat to democratic functioning3,11,55, is not a problem at all13,56–58 or the nature of the threat is ambiguous7,59,60.”
From Cognitive–motivational mechanisms of political polarization in social-communicative contexts (2022) · cites this paper as [35]
Since the 1960s, those who endorse liberal attitudes have increasingly joined the Democratic Party, and those who endorse conservative attitudes have increasingly joined the Republican Party.
“Consistent with this argument, there is abundant evidence that since the 1960s those who endorse liberal attitudes have increasingly joined the Democratic Party, and those who endorse conservative attitudes have increasingly joined the Republican Party35,110.”
From Cognitive–motivational mechanisms of political polarization in social-communicative contexts (2022) · cites this paper as [35]
Increased alignment between partisanship and ideology reflects a 'sorting' process that increases intergroup conflict.
“From a more macro-political perspective, increased alignment between partisanship and ideology reflects a ‘sorting’ process that increases intergroup conflict35,38,77.”
From Cognitive–motivational mechanisms of political polarization in social-communicative contexts (2022) · cites this paper as [35]
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References 51 · Cited by 125
- Authors
- Levendusky, M. S.
- Affiliations
- University of Pennsylvania (US)
- Corresponding author
- Levendusky, Matthew S.
- Venue
- Political Analysis
- Publisher
- Cambridge University Press (CUP)
- Published
- 2009
- Volume
- 17
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 162-176
- ISSN
- 1047-1987 (ISSN-L)
- 1476-4989
- OpenAlex
- W2126726599
- Cited by
- 125
- References
- 51
- Citations by year
- 2026: 5 · 2025: 6 · 2024: 15 · 2023: 13 · 2022: 7 · 2021: 7 · 2020: 11 · 2019: 16 · 2018: 5 · 2017: 6 · 2016: 8 · 2015: 5 · 2014: 6 · 2013: 4 · 2012: 3
- FWCI
- 23.07
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Political Analysis (publishedVersion)
- RePEc: Research Papers in Economics (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Political Science and International Relations › Electoral Systems and Political Participation
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Media Influence and Politics
- Social Sciences › Political Science and International Relations › Populism, Right-Wing Movements
- Keywords
- mass polarization, microfoundations, ideological realignment, Republicans, measurement error
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