THE DYNAMICS OF POLITICIZATION, POLARIZATION, AND RADICALIZATION
Introduction
Perceived threats and exclusion increase politicization, polarization, and
radicalization when government is mistrusted.
Salient identities and ideological clashes arise from dynamics like globalization.
The three interrelated processes help explain shifts from sympathy to moderate and
extreme participation.
Politicization
Defining Politicized Collective Identity
Involves intentional struggle for group interests knowing the wider context it occurs
within.
Distinctions include raised consciousness, antagonistic worldview, readiness for
collective action.
Research on Changes in Identity Content
Longitudinal studies show personal-political identity integration predicts activism.
Moral traits are more definitive of politicized identity and predict seeing oneself as
an activist.
Findings indicate qualitative identity shifts beyond just strength increases.
Polarization
Can be political, social, or psychological distancing between groups.
Creates in-group favoritism and out-group derogation to satisfy self-enhancement.
Fuels confrontations as groups assert their values are threatened by out-groups.
Study of Polarizing Web Forums
Critical incidents increased participation and negative out-group portrayals over time.
Debate involvement and polarization grew, especially for minorities facing threats.
Radicalization
Typically evolves incrementally from sympathy to moderate then extreme
participation.
Underlying needs for significance and mattering are met through ideological
narratives and group validation.
Radicalization often occurs when movements decline and moderates exit.
Mechanisms of Radicalization
Underground existence and isolation from society facilitate groupthink.
Legitimacy of tactics shapes popular and in-group support.
Identity loss reduces support for extreme protest among broader public.
Conclusion
Politicization, polarization, and radicalization describe key transformational processes
underlying protest.
Changes in identity content and relationships between groups drive the dynamics.
