Mar 29th 2021
AMONG PEOPLE who worry about political polarisation, it has become an article of faith that breaking Americans out of their echo chambers is essential to returning the country to political health. But what if that assumption is wrong? That is the contrarian argument advanced by Chris Bail, a sociologist at Duke University, in a new book, “Breaking the Social Media Prism”. Mr Bail explains why exposure to different opinions often leads to ideological entrenchment rather than deliberation and compromise, and suggests that until people learn how to interact productively with their political opponents, it may be healthier for them and American democracy to remain in like-minded company.
https://www.economist.com/united-states/2021/03/29/a-new-book-explains-how-social-media-promotes-political-polarisation