TY  - RPRT
        AU  - Brekke, Kjell Arne
AU  - Nyborg, Karine
        TI  - Ideologically Motivated Disrespect Drives Polarization
        PY  - 2026/Sep/
        PB  - Institute of Labor Economics (IZA)
        CY  - Bonn
        T2  - IZA Discussion Paper
        IS  - 18956
        UR  - https://www.iza.org/publications/dp18956
        AB  - We show that ideologically motivated disrespect triggers social processes helping individuals protect their self-image and social image, causing ideological and affective polarization as by-products. If even small shares of the population are less respected by one side of the ideological spectrum than the other, ideological views are polarized in equilibrium for almost everyone, including those equally respected by all. Although everyone socializes only with the like-minded in equilibrium, homophily is not assumed but emerges endogenously. The sets of characteristics disrespected by each side determine segregation and polarization patterns, while the degree of polarization depends strongly on exposure to non-peers’ views.
        KW  - affective and ideological polarization
KW  - image preferences
KW  - reluctant social learning
KW  - social migration
        ER  -