Why more social interactions lead to greater polarization in societies
Over the last two decades, the number of close social connections has increased significantly—at least by a factor of two. During the same period, societal opinions in many Western countries have become increasingly polarized.
A new study, co-authored by REMASS PI Stefan Thurner, employs a computational model to investigate this connection.
The research demonstrates that above a critical level of social connectivity, societies experience a phase transition leading to explosive polarization. The model accounts for homophily, social balance, and the influence of synchronized influencers, offering a deeper understanding of how modern social dynamics drive polarization.
These findings provide valuable insights into the mechanisms behind growing societal divisions.
Read the full paper here.