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Is SRC truly polarizing?

Author

Listed:
  • Stone, Daniel
  • Lees, Jeffrey Martin

    (Princeton University)

Abstract

Is socially responsible capitalism (SRC) fundamentally left-leaning, or is that perception another example of ``false polarization''---over-estimation of disagreement between the left and right? We address this question via two studies: 1) a survey of Americans' opinions on a general definition of SRC and five examples of recent prominent firm actions corresponding to distinct areas of SRC (n=1,000, probability-based representative sample), and 2) a second, incentivized survey on second-order beliefs about the distribution of opinions from the first survey (n=605, quoted convenience sample). We find large majorities of Democrats and Republicans support examples of corporate behavior from three of the five areas of SRC, but opinions are somewhat divided across the parties on support for SRC as a general concept, and highly divided for the two other SRC examples from the areas of DEI and climate change. Both Democrats and Republicans generally underestimate support from partisans on both sides for the SRC definition and all examples of SRC except DEI, which people on both sides overestimate support for (on both sides). SRC support is especially under-estimated by people who are personally opposed to SRC, or have no opinion on SRC, suggesting that false second-order beliefs may contribute to lack of personal support for SRC. Democrats particularly underestimate Republican support for SRC and consequently overestimate polarization in support for SRC. Overestimation of polarization in SRC support is correlated with affective polarization.

Suggested Citation

  • Stone, Daniel & Lees, Jeffrey Martin, 2024. "Is SRC truly polarizing?," OSF Preprints jwmvf, Center for Open Science.
    • Handle: RePEc:osf:osfxxx:jwmvf
    DOI: 10.31219/osf.io/jwmvf
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    References listed on IDEAS

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