Fear and loathing across party lines

Such divisions are being reported from multiple countries. People don't just dislike the other party's policies, they dislike the supporters of the other parties as well. Consequently, relationships and social networks are being formed that are politically homogeneous. If one has friends across the political aisle, they often avoid discussing political or social issues to maintain the relationship.

- BY NADEEM F, PARACHA

"Affective polarization," a term coined by American political scientist Shanto Iyengar, describes the increasing emotional hostility and mutual distrust between supporters of different political parties, rather than just disagreements over policy.

This has increasingly dominated public and political analyses, intensifying significantly over the last two decades.

The current era is widely considered distinct from previous periods of political division. Today’s political polarisation is characterised by an unprecedented level of animosity. One should keep in mind that affective polarisation differs from ‘ideological polarisation.’ The latter is strictly measured by policy differences.

As noted by Estonian scholar Andres Reiljan, affective polarisation is fundamentally “about people’s feelings”, creating a society split into “mutually hostile political groups” and fostering a powerful “tribal” instinct. Individuals begin to strongly identify with their political party and express a wider hostility toward the opposition. This mentality is strengthened when social identities merge with political affiliations.

According to Reiljan, some political parties and media outlets often exacerbate this divide for financial or political gain, choosing to intensify conflict rather than promoting consensus. This cycle leads individuals to perceive fellow citizens through a prejudiced lens, based solely on political preferences.

As political disagreements turn into social suspicion and emotional hostility, a new form of division is taking root around the world

A 2020 study by the American Family Survey indicated a significant decline in marriages and romantic relationships between Democrats and Republicans, as individuals increasingly prefer partners who share their political views.