The Economic Consequences of Partisanship in a Polarized Era

Affective spillover of partisan and ideological attitudes has been documented in a variety of domains, including job applicant evaluations, dating behaviors, and online labor markets.

“Este fenómeno de derrame afectivo (affective spillover) de las actitudes partidarias e ideológicas ha sido documentado en una variedad de dominios, incluyendo evaluaciones de solicitantes de empleo (Gift y Gift 2015), conductas frente a citas (Huber y Malhotra, 2017), y mercados laborales en línea (McConnell et al., 2018).”

Partisanship has bled into the nonpolitical sphere, driving ordinary citizens to reward copartisans and penalize opposing partisans.

“This work consistently shows that partisanship has bled into the nonpolitical sphere, driving ordinary citizens to reward copartisans and penalize opposing partisans, a point to which we return below.”

People exhibited a willingness to accept lower compensation (by 6.5%) from a partisan-congruent employer.

“People exhibited a willingness to accept lower compensation (by 6.5%) from a partisan-congruent employer.”

McConnell et al. (2018) found no evidence of out-group animus; the purchasing rate remained stable across same-party and opposite-party sellers.

“The authors found no evidence of out-group animus; the purchasing rate remained stable across same-party and opposite-party sellers.”

The effects of copartisan seller interaction were even larger among strong partisans.

“The effects were even larger among strong partisans.”

People performed lower-quality work and exhibited less effort for a partisan-congruent employer.

“At the same time, they performed lower-quality work and exhibited less effort.”

McConnell et al. (2018) mainly find evidence of in-group affinity as opposed to out-group prejudice.

“Unlike Gift & Gift (2015), they mainly find evidence of in-group affinity as opposed to out-group prejudice.”

The only significant differences occurred between the copartisan condition and the control group.

“The only significant differences occurred between the copartisan condition and the control group.”

Interacting with a copartisan seller nearly doubled the purchasing price of the gift card.

“However, interacting with a copartisan seller nearly doubled the purchasing price of the gift card.”

There is evidence that ideological and partisan considerations inform the choice of friends, as well as business and romantic partners.

“there is evidence that ideological and partisan considerations inform the choice of friends, as well as business and romantic partners218–221.”