theguardian.com
Short-lived impact of interventions to reduce political hostility
Research analyzing 77 interventions to reduce partisan animosity found a modest 5.4-point increase in warmth towards opposing parties on a 101-point scale, but these effects dissipated within two weeks.
- What factors contribute to the limited and short-term success of these interventions?
- The study suggests that the limited and short-term success is due to the persistent influence of political and media elites who fuel partisan conflict, along with the hyperpolarized social environment. Repeated interventions or multiple simultaneous interventions did not enhance the effect.
- What alternative approaches might be more effective in achieving lasting reductions in partisan animosity?
- The research points towards a need for strategies focusing on altering the incentives of political and media elites who exacerbate partisan conflict, suggesting that individual-level interventions alone are insufficient for long-term change.
- What is the primary finding regarding the effectiveness of interventions aimed at reducing political hostility?
- Interventions to reduce political hostility, encompassing various approaches, yielded only a small, temporary improvement in attitudes. The average increase in warmth towards opposing parties was 5.4 points on a 101-point scale, with almost all effects vanishing within two weeks.
Cognitive Concepts
Bias by Omission
While the article focuses primarily on the limitations of short-term interventions, it does mention the potential value of grassroots approaches and changing incentives for elites. However, a more in-depth discussion of alternative approaches or specific policy recommendations could enhance the article's comprehensiveness. The omission of specific details about the interventions themselves is a limitation, but understandable given the scope of the review.
Sustainable Development Goals
The research directly addresses SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions) by investigating methods to reduce political polarization and animosity. The findings highlight the challenges in achieving sustainable reductions in partisan hostility, emphasizing the need for long-term strategies to foster more inclusive and peaceful political environments. The article