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Personal hardship narrows the partisan gap in COVID-19 and climate change responses

Author

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  • Sara M. Constantino

    (a School of Public and International Affairs, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08540;; b Department of Psychology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115;; c School of Public Policy and Urban Affairs, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115;)

  • Alicia D. Cooperman

    (d Department of Political Science, George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052;; e Elliott School of International Affairs, George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052;)

  • Robert O. Keohane

    (a School of Public and International Affairs, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08540;)

  • Elke U. Weber

    (a School of Public and International Affairs, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08540;; f Andlinger Center for Energy and the Environment, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08540;; g Department of Psychology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08540)

Abstract

In highly polarized political environments like the United States, people interpret health and environmental issues through a partisan lens. Democrats have been more concerned about COVID-19 and more willing to socially distance than Republicans—resulting in a substantial partisan gap in concern, action, and policy support. However, using cross-sectional comparisons from a three-wave survey during March to November 2020, we find that self-reported hardship due to COVID-19 is associated with a narrowing of the partisan gap and does not depend on party affiliation. We find similar results in the context of climate change. These findings suggest that personal experience may counter partisan messaging and worldviews, at least in response to an immediate threat.

Suggested Citation

  • Sara M. Constantino & Alicia D. Cooperman & Robert O. Keohane & Elke U. Weber, 2022. "Personal hardship narrows the partisan gap in COVID-19 and climate change responses," Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, vol. 119(46), pages 2120653119-, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:nas:journl:v:119:y:2022:p:e2120653119
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