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Polarization and Toxicity in Political Discourse Online

Polarization and Toxicity in Political Discourse Online PDF Author: Martin Saveski
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 176

Book Description
The web and social media promised to fundamentally change the public sphere by democratizing access to information and lowering barriers for participation in public discourse. While some of these expectations have been met, we have also seen the negative effects of the web and social media, amplifying people’s tendency to self-sort and polarize, and providing a platform for uncivil public discourse. In this thesis, we focus on two phenomena, toxicity and polarization in political discourse online. In the first part of this thesis, we study media outlets’ role in political polarization online, mainly, how the language they use to promote their content influences the political diversity of their audience. We track the engagement with tweets posted by media outlets over three years (556k tweets, 104M retweets) and model the relationship between the tweet text and the political diversity of the audience. We build a tool that integrates our model and helps journalists craft tweets engaging to a politically diverse audience, guided by the model predictions. To test the real-world impact of the tool, we partner with the PBS documentary series Frontline and run a series of advertising experiments on Twitter. We find that in five out of the seven experiments, the tweets selected by our model were indeed engaging to a more politically diverse audience, illustrating the effectiveness of our tool. In the second part of this thesis, we study the relationship between the structure and the toxicity in political conversations on Twitter. We collect data on conversations prompted by tweets posted by news outlets and politicians running in the 2018 US midterm elections (1.18M conversations, 58.5M tweets). To investigate the link between structure and toxicity, we analyze the conversations at the individual, dyad, and group levels. We also consider two prediction tasks: (i) whether the conversation as a whole will become more or less toxic, and (ii) whether the next reply, posted by a specific user, will be toxic. We demonstrate that the structural characteristics of a conversation can be used to detect early signs of toxicity, both at the individual and the group level.

Polarization and Toxicity in Political Discourse Online

Polarization and Toxicity in Political Discourse Online PDF Author: Martin Saveski
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 176

Book Description
The web and social media promised to fundamentally change the public sphere by democratizing access to information and lowering barriers for participation in public discourse. While some of these expectations have been met, we have also seen the negative effects of the web and social media, amplifying people’s tendency to self-sort and polarize, and providing a platform for uncivil public discourse. In this thesis, we focus on two phenomena, toxicity and polarization in political discourse online. In the first part of this thesis, we study media outlets’ role in political polarization online, mainly, how the language they use to promote their content influences the political diversity of their audience. We track the engagement with tweets posted by media outlets over three years (556k tweets, 104M retweets) and model the relationship between the tweet text and the political diversity of the audience. We build a tool that integrates our model and helps journalists craft tweets engaging to a politically diverse audience, guided by the model predictions. To test the real-world impact of the tool, we partner with the PBS documentary series Frontline and run a series of advertising experiments on Twitter. We find that in five out of the seven experiments, the tweets selected by our model were indeed engaging to a more politically diverse audience, illustrating the effectiveness of our tool. In the second part of this thesis, we study the relationship between the structure and the toxicity in political conversations on Twitter. We collect data on conversations prompted by tweets posted by news outlets and politicians running in the 2018 US midterm elections (1.18M conversations, 58.5M tweets). To investigate the link between structure and toxicity, we analyze the conversations at the individual, dyad, and group levels. We also consider two prediction tasks: (i) whether the conversation as a whole will become more or less toxic, and (ii) whether the next reply, posted by a specific user, will be toxic. We demonstrate that the structural characteristics of a conversation can be used to detect early signs of toxicity, both at the individual and the group level.

We Need to Talk

We Need to Talk PDF Author: Matthew S. Levendusky
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 100905063X
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 130

Book Description
Americans today are affectively polarized: they dislike and distrust those from the opposing political party more than they did in the past, with damaging consequences for their democracy. This Element tests one strategy for ameliorating such animus: having ordinary Democrats and Republicans come together for cross-party political discussions. Building on intergroup contact theory, the authors argue that such discussions will mitigate partisan animosity. Using an original experiment, they find strong support for this hypothesis – affective polarization falls substantially among subjects who participate in heterogeneous discussion (relative to those who participate in either homogeneous political discussion or an apolitical control). This Element also provides evidence for several of the mechanisms underlying these effects, and shows that they persist for at least one week after the initial experiment. These findings have considerable importance for efforts to ameliorate animus in the mass public, and for understanding American politics more broadly.

Hate Speech and Polarization in Participatory Society

Hate Speech and Polarization in Participatory Society PDF Author: Marta Pérez-Escolar
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1000462889
Category : Language Arts & Disciplines
Languages : en
Pages : 275

Book Description
This timely volume offers a comprehensive and rigorous overview of the role of communication in the construction of hate speech and polarization in the online and offline arena. Delving into the meanings, implications, contexts and effects of extreme speech and gated communities in the media landscape, the chapters analyse misleading metaphors and rhetoric via focused case studies to understand how we can overcome the risks and threats stemming from the past decade’s defining communicative phenomena. The book brings together an international team of experts, enabling a broad, multidisciplinary approach that examines hate speech, dislike, polarization and enclave deliberation as cross axes that influence offline and digital conversations. The diverse case studies herein offer insights into international news media, television drama and social media in a range of contexts, suggesting an academic frame of reference for examining this emerging phenomenon within the field of communication studies. Offering thoughtful and much-needed analysis, this collection will be of great interest to scholars and students working in communication studies, media studies, journalism, sociology, political science, political communication and cultural industries.

Musings of A Moderate

Musings of A Moderate PDF Author: Jordan R. Brown
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781641119467
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 162

Book Description
In the political climate of a post-truth era, it may be a return to moderation in the national discourse that mends the ideological divide. In, Musings of A Moderate: Political Discourse in The Age of Polarization, a compelling case for cooperation and critical analysis is presented as a way to reverse the effects of tribalism and the development of an adversarial democracy. We live in a time of limitless potential, where diversity and the open exchange of ideas will become our strength rather than a source of endless division. However, the first step towards a cooperative political environment is to appreciate that differing opinions are a key resource that enhance our ability to create optimal solutions for the challenges of the future. Now is the time to embrace critical thinking and encourage people to express their political, social, and cultural commentary in a manner that reflects our values in a free society.

Political Polarization

Political Polarization PDF Author: Fouad Sabry
Publisher: One Billion Knowledgeable
ISBN:
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 235

Book Description
Understanding Democratization and Political Polarization: A Guide to Modern Politics "Democratization" offers a deep dive into how nations transition from authoritarian rule to democracy, examining the core elements and processes of democratization. Democratization Overview: - 1: Introduction to democratization and its defining features. - 2: Detailed exploration of democratic systems. Political Polarization Explained: "Political Polarization" examines the growing ideological divides impacting politics, governance, and social cohesion. Polarization Insights: - 1: Basics of political polarization and its historical background. - 2: The role of political parties in ideological divisions. - 3: Core political ideologies in the US. - 4: How polarization affects voting behavior. - 5: Trends in partisan sorting. Global Perspectives: - 6: Analysis of US political polarization. - 7: Case study on polarization in Turkey. Expert Insights: - 8-10: Research by leading political scientists like Alan Abramowitz, Matthew Levendusky, and Elizabeth Zechmeister. Key Concepts: - 11: Political parties. - 12: Democratic deficit. - 13: Voter turnout. - 14: Anti-incumbency. - 15: Independent voters. - 16: Low information voters. Advanced Topics: - 17: Genopolitics. - 18: NOMINATE scaling method. - 19: Political cognition. - 20: Negative partisanship. - 21: Politicization. "Political Polarization" is essential for understanding and engaging with today's complex political landscape.

The Media, the Public and Agricultural Biotechnology

The Media, the Public and Agricultural Biotechnology PDF Author: Dominique Brossard
Publisher: CABI
ISBN: 184593203X
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 415

Book Description
This book reviews the literature on communication about biotechnology. Other books deal with this topic, however this book with the use of case studies, looks at public opinion data, communication theory, and international examples; to provide a complementary overview of how the public sees this controversial topic.

The Way Out

The Way Out PDF Author: Peter T. Coleman
Publisher: Columbia University Press
ISBN: 0231552157
Category : Psychology
Languages : en
Pages : 453

Book Description
The partisan divide in the United States has widened to a chasm. Legislators vote along party lines and rarely cross the aisle. Political polarization is personal, too—and it is making us miserable. Surveys show that Americans have become more fearful and hateful of supporters of the opposing political party and imagine that they hold much more extreme views than they actually do. We have cordoned ourselves off: we prefer to date and marry those with similar opinions and are less willing to spend time with people on the other side. How can we loosen the grip of this toxic polarization and start working on our most pressing problems? The Way Out offers an escape from this morass. The social psychologist Peter T. Coleman explores how conflict resolution and complexity science provide guidance for dealing with seemingly intractable political differences. Deploying the concept of attractors in dynamical systems, he explains why we are stuck in this rut as well as the unexpected ways that deeply rooted oppositions can and do change. Coleman meticulously details principles and practices for navigating and healing the difficult divides in our homes, workplaces, and communities, blending compelling personal accounts from his years of working on entrenched conflicts with lessons from leading-edge research. The Way Out is a vital and timely guide to breaking free from the cycle of mutual contempt in order to better our lives, relationships, and country.

Solutions to Political Polarization in America

Solutions to Political Polarization in America PDF Author: Nathaniel Persily
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 9781107451919
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 0

Book Description
Political polarization dominates discussions of contemporary American politics. Despite widespread agreement that the dysfunction in the political system can be attributed to political polarization, commentators cannot come to a consensus on what that means. The coarseness of our political discourse, the ideological distance between opposing partisans, and, most of all, an inability to pass much-needed and widely supported policies all stem from the polarization in our politics. This volume assembles several of the nation's top analysts of American politics to focus on solutions to polarization. The proposals range from constitutional change to good- government reforms to measures to strengthen political parties. Each tackles one or more aspects of America's polarization problem. This book begins a serious dialogue about reform proposals to address the obstacles that polarization poses for contemporary governance.

The Psychology of Political Polarization

The Psychology of Political Polarization PDF Author: Jan-Willem van Prooijen
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1000365506
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 172

Book Description
The Psychology of Political Polarization was inspired by the notion that, to understand the momentum of radical political movements, it is important to understand the attitudes of individual citizens who support such movements. Leading political psychologists have contributed to this important book, in which they share their latest ideas about political polarization – a complex phenomenon that cannot be traced back to a single cause, and that is associated with intolerance, overconfidence, and irrational beliefs. The book explores the basis of political polarization as being how citizens think and feel about people with a different worldview, how they perceive minority groups, and how much they trust leaders and experts on pressing societal issues such as climate change, health, international relations, and poverty. The chapters are organized into two sections that examine what psychological processes and what social factors contribute to polarization among regular citizens. The book also describes practical strategies and interventions to depolarize people. The book offers a state-of-the-art introduction to the psychology of political polarization which will appeal to the academic market and political professionals.

Uncivil Agreement

Uncivil Agreement PDF Author: Lilliana Mason
Publisher: University of Chicago Press
ISBN: 022652468X
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 193

Book Description
The psychology behind political partisanship: “The kind of research that will change not just how you think about the world but how you think about yourself.” —Ezra Klein, Vox Political polarization in America has moved beyond disagreements about matters of policy. For the first time in decades, research has shown that members of both parties hold strongly unfavorable views of their opponents. This is polarization rooted in social identity, and it is growing. The campaign and election of Donald Trump laid bare this fact of the American electorate, its successful rhetoric of “us versus them” tapping into a powerful current of anger and resentment. With Uncivil Agreement, Lilliana Mason looks at the growing social gulf across racial, religious, and cultural lines, which have recently come to divide neatly between the two major political parties. She argues that group identifications have changed the way we think and feel about ourselves and our opponents. Even when Democrats and Republicans can agree on policy outcomes, they tend to view one other with distrust and to work for party victory over all else. Although the polarizing effects of social divisions have simplified our electoral choices and increased political engagement, they have not been a force that is, on balance, helpful for American democracy. Bringing together theory from political science and social psychology, Uncivil Agreement clearly describes this increasingly “social” type of polarization, and adds much to our understanding of contemporary politics.