Kjell Arne Brekke, University of Oslo

Image Preferences as a Driver of Normative Polarization

Abstract

Why does ideological debate sometimes become so polarized, both sides apparently finding their own view morally superior? We propose one explanation based on four main assumptions: i) People have self-image and social image preferences; ii) if normative views move towards one of the two polar cases, image costs increase for some individuals but decrease for others, depending on their exogenously determined types; iii) over time, people may migrate between social groups; and iv) within social groups, biased social learning takes place. We show that the steady state is highly polarized and segregated: in equilibrium, each social group consists of individuals of similar type (for example rich/poor, educated/uneducated), holding similar but extreme, implicitly self-serving normative views. Policies stimulating contact across groups, however, can limit equilibrium polarization.

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