Quote:
Originally Posted by GGG
So I reject the argument that moderates being moderate and listening increases polarization. Political structures that incentivize polarization are the leading factor
|
It can be both. There are obviously going to be certain political structures that are more susceptible to this phenomenon, but what Cliff's talking about here is human psychology. Regardless of the political system you put human beings in, they're still human beings, and the majority of them are going to behave as effectively pre-programmed by evolution. That includes adherence to group norms in an effort to ensure safe group membership, as well as subsequent group polarization.
Political structures (or any social structures, really - institutionalized disconfirmation in the sciences is the most obvious example) can be set up to resist or put pressure on the aspects of human psychology that aren't productive - that's the difference between the Canadian and American systems. But human psychology remains, and the structures are only so effective. You'll get the same behaviours in Canada, even if, as you suggest, they're less obvious. People are still people.