Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0
Author-Name:  Ximeng Fang
Author-Name-First: Ximeng
Author-Name-Last: Fang
Author-Email: ximeng.fang@sbs.ox.ac.uk
Author-Workplace-Name: Saïd Business School, University of Oxford
Author-Name:  Sven Heuser
Author-Name-First: Sven
Author-Name-Last: Heuser
Author-Email: sven.heuser@iais.fraunhofer.de
Author-Workplace-Name: FraunhoferInstitute for Intelligent Analysis and Information Systems IAIS
Author-Name:  Lasse S. Stötzer
Author-Name-First: Lasse S.
Author-Name-Last: Stötzer
Author-Email: lasse.stoetzer@briq-institute.org
Author-Workplace-Name: Institute on Behavior and Inequality (briq)

Title:   How In-Person Conversations Shape Political Polarization: Quasi-Experimental Evidence from a Nationwide Initiative
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.
Length: 76 pages
Classification-JEL: D90, Z13, C99, J15
Keywords: polarization, intergroup contact, behavioral political economy

Creation-Date:  2023-12
File-URL: https://www.econtribute.de/RePEc/ajk/ajkdps/ECONtribute_270_2023.pdf
File-Format: Application/pdf
File-Function: First version, 2023
Number: 270
Handle: RePEc:ajk:ajkdps:270