Ideological polarization in static networks: A multidimensional approach for opinion alignment

TL;DR

This paper introduces a multidimensional opinion dynamics model that captures how interconnected issues and ideological frameworks contribute to polarization in society, supported by theoretical analysis and empirical data.

Contribution

It presents a novel multi-topic opinion model incorporating issue interdependencies and ideological alignment, advancing understanding of polarization mechanisms.

Findings

Polarization can emerge from issue interdependencies and ideological structures.

The model's fixed points reveal conditions for stable polarization.

Empirical data supports the model's relevance to real-world opinion patterns.

Abstract

Polarization, defined as the emergence of sharply divided groups with opposing and often extreme views, is an increasingly prominent feature of modern societies. While many studies analyze this phenomenon in the context of single issues, such as public opinion on abortion or immigration, this approach overlooks that political and social attitudes rarely develop in isolation. Instead, many issues are interconnected, shaped by overarching ideological frameworks that guide interpretations and position-taking across multiple topics. These frameworks produce coherent yet polarized worldviews that reinforce group boundaries. In this work, we propose and study a multi-topic opinion dynamics model that captures these interdependencies. Each issue is represented as a separate dimension in a shared opinion space, allowing us to model not only attitudes toward individual topics but also the structure of ideological alignment across them. A central feature is topic correlation, which enables us to explore how polarization emerges when opinions on one issue influence attitudes on others. The model also incorporates homophily, a mechanism where individuals are more likely to interact with those similar to themselves. We analyze the asymptotic behavior of the model by identifying its most relevant fixed points, supported by theoretical analysis and numerical simulations. We then examine how the multidimensional opinion space shapes the emergence and stability of polarization, and apply the model to empirical data from the American National Election Studies, interpreting observed opinion patterns within our framework.