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Partisan Conflict on Social Media: Empirical Evidence and Policy Challenges

Author

Listed:
  • Juan S. Morales
  • Anne E. Wilson

Abstract

Key Messages:Social media exploits human biases, heightening the visibility and spread of negative, extreme, and divisive contentPublic opinion and norms are distorted by disproportionately active fringe voices while moderates are mutedPoliticians adapt to incentives, increasing incivility, moralization, and out-group demonizationPreferences for content moderation differ by users’ ideology, complicating regulation and risking ideological bias in discoursePlatforms alone may not be able to reverse a self-perpetuating spiral of divisiveness – education and policy thus play a crucial role

Suggested Citation

  • Juan S. Morales & Anne E. Wilson, 2025. "Partisan Conflict on Social Media: Empirical Evidence and Policy Challenges," EconPol Forum, CESifo, vol. 26(04), pages 52-57, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:ces:epofor:v:26:y:2025:i:04:p:52-57
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Leonardo Bursztyn & Benjamin Handel & Rafael Jiménez-Durán & Christopher Roth, 2025. "When Product Markets Become Collective Traps: The Case of Social Media," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 115(12), pages 4105-4136, December.
    2. Andrea Ruggeri & Ursula Daxecker & Neeraj Prasad, 2025. "Political violence in democracies: An Introduction," Journal of Peace Research, Peace Research Institute Oslo, vol. 62(5), pages 1363-1375, September.
    3. Daniel Ershov & Juan S Morales, 2024. "Sharing News Left and Right: Frictions and Misinformation on Twitter," The Economic Journal, Royal Economic Society, vol. 134(662), pages 2391-2417.
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