Working Paper: NBER ID: w23258
Authors: Levi Boxell; Matthew Gentzkow; Jesse M. Shapiro
Abstract: We combine nine previously proposed measures to construct an index of political polarization among US adults. We find that the growth in polarization in recent years is largest for the demographic groups least likely to use the internet and social media. For example, our overall index and eight of the nine individual measures show greater increases for those older than 75 than for those aged 18–39. These facts argue against the hypothesis that the internet is a primary driver of rising political polarization.
Keywords: No keywords provided
JEL Codes: D72
Edges that are evidenced by causal inference methods are in orange, and the rest are in light blue.
| Cause | Effect |
|---|---|
| older adults (over 75) who are least likely to use the internet (J14) | increase in political polarization (D72) |
| increase in political polarization is largest among older adults (over 75) who are least likely to use the internet (J14) | increase in polarization among younger adults (I24) |
| demographic differences in polarization measures contradict the hypothesis that the internet drives polarization (J79) | alternative explanations needed for observed trends (J11) |