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Trump ante Portas: Political Polarization Undermines Rule-Following Behavior

Author

Listed:
  • Christoph Feldhaus

    (Department of Economics, Ruhr-University Bochum)

  • Lukas Reinhardt

    (Centre for the Study of Social Cohesion, University of Oxford and Identity and Conflict Lab, Yale University)

  • Matthias Sutter

    (Max Planck Institute for Research on Collective Goods, Bonn, University of Cologne, Germany, University of Innsbruck, Austria, IZA Bonn, Germany, and CESifo Munich)

Abstract

In a democracy, it is essential that citizens accept rules and laws, regardless of which party is in power. We study why citizens in polarized societies resist rules implemented by political opponents. This may be due to the rules’ specific content, but also because of a general preference against being restricted by political opponents. We develop a method to measure the latter channel. In our experiment with almost 1,300 supporters and opponents of Donald Trump, we show that polarization undermines rule-following behavior significantly, independent of the rules’ content. Subjects perceive the intentions behind (identical) rules as much more malevolent if they were imposed by a political opponent rather than a political ally.

Suggested Citation

  • Christoph Feldhaus & Lukas Reinhardt & Matthias Sutter, 2024. "Trump ante Portas: Political Polarization Undermines Rule-Following Behavior," Discussion Paper Series of the Max Planck Institute for Behavioral Economics 2024_15, Max Planck Institute for Behavioral Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:mpg:wpaper:2024_15
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    2. Dertwinkel-Kalt Markus & Grossmann Max R. P., 2025. "Analysen Klimapolitik; Ideologie schlägt Information: Über die Grenzen von Kommunikation in der Klimapolitik," Wirtschaftsdienst, Sciendo, vol. 105(7), pages 495-498.

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    JEL classification:

    • C91 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Laboratory, Individual Behavior
    • D90 - Microeconomics - - Micro-Based Behavioral Economics - - - General
    • D91 - Microeconomics - - Micro-Based Behavioral Economics - - - Role and Effects of Psychological, Emotional, Social, and Cognitive Factors on Decision Making

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