@article{4ed47d7de9ec4c5f85075b8eb36a70af,
title = "The nonlinear feedback dynamics of asymmetric political polarization",
abstract = "Using a general model of opinion dynamics, we conduct a systematic investigation of key mechanisms driving elite polarization in the United States. We demonstrate that the self-reinforcing nature of elite-level processes can explain this polarization, with voter preferences accounting for its asymmetric nature. Our analysis suggests that subtle differences in the frequency and amplitude with which public opinion shifts left and right over time may have a differential effect on the self-reinforcing processes of elites, causing Republicans to polarize more quickly than Democrats. We find that as self-reinforcement approaches a critical threshold, polarization speeds up. Republicans appear to have crossed that threshold while Democrats are currently approaching it.",
keywords = "Bifurcations, Nonlinear dynamics, Political elites, Political polarization, Public opinion",
author = "Leonard, {Naomi Ehrich} and Keena Lipsitz and Anastasia Bizyaeva and Alessio Franci and Yphtach Lelkes",
note = "Funding Information: ACKNOWLEDGMENTS. We are grateful to the anonymous reviewers for many helpful comments. This research was supported by Direcci{\'o}n General de Asuntos del Personal Acad{\'e}mico (DGAPA), National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), through the Programa de Apoyo a Proyectos de Investigaci{\'o}n e Innovaci{\'o}n Tecnol{\'o}gica (PAPIIT) research grant IN102420, and by Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnolog{\'i}a (Conacyt) through the research grant CB-A1-S-10610 (to A.F.) and by the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program under Grant DGE-2039656 (to A.B.). Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the NSF. Funding Information: We are grateful to the anonymous reviewers for many helpful comments. This research was supported by Direccion General de Asuntos del Personal Academico (DGAPA), National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), through the Programa de Apoyo a Proyectos de Investigacion e Innovacion Tecnologica (PAPIIT) research grant IN102420, and by Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnolog?a (Conacyt) through the research grant CB-A1-S-10610 (to A.F.) and by the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program under Grant DGE-2039656 (to A.B.). Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the NSF. Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2021 National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved.",
year = "2021",
month = dec,
day = "14",
doi = "10.1073/pnas.2102149118",
language = "English (US)",
volume = "118",
journal = "Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America",
issn = "0027-8424",
publisher = "National Academy of Sciences",
number = "50",
}