The evolving study of political polarization

Abstract

The study of political polarization has undergone significant conceptual and methodological evolution, progressing from early emphases on ideological divides toward a more complex understanding that incorporates affective, identity-based, digital, and cross-national dimensions. This shift reflects the growing recognition that polarization is not merely a divergence of policy preferences, but a multifaceted phenomenon shaped by emotional, social, technological, and epistemic processes. In this review, we provide an elaboration of the various ways to approach the study of political polarization. This task may be daunting, but a well-organized, comprehensive and interdisciplinary overview is surely necessary. We begin by elaborating different types of political polarization, moving from an early focus on ideological divides to multidimensional constructs. Then, we shift to an overview of key disciplinary concepts and theoretical approaches for examining political polarization. At the heart of this review, we elaborate the various methodologies and methods for studying polarization, including quantitative, computational/digital, experimental, and qualitative approaches. We also highlight the strengths and limitations of these methodologies. To conclude the review, we first offer some suggestions for interventions that could mitigate the effects of polarization, and second, point to directions for future research. We suggest expanding the national focus that has dominated the study of polarization, highlighting the benefits of cross-national comparisons with a global reach.