The Nature of Affective Polarization: Disentangling Policy Disagreement from Partisan Identity

• DOI: 10.1111/ajps.12628
• Publication Date: 2021-06-08T01:37:50Z
• Authors: Nicholas Dias; Yphtach Lelkes
• Keywords: Affect; Spurious relationship; Interpersonal influence

Abstract Democrats and Republicans clearly dislike one another. Yet, scholars debate whether policy disagreement or partisan identity, per se, drives interparty animus. Past studies suggest the relationship between partisanship interpersonal affect is spurious, driven by inferred preferences. We argue, instead, that preferences signal identity when parties' stances on an issue are well‐known. Using a nationally representative survey four preregistered experiments, we disentangle effects of affect. Our findings principal mechanism affective polarization, factor into polarization largely signaling identity. However, our results also affirm in itself This provides evidence reflects emotional attachment to political party, not merely running tally rational considerations.