The Effect of Polarization on Perceptions of Welfare Deservingness

• In Event: Affective Polarization and Public Opinion

Abstract

Does affective polarization spill over to affect perceptions of welfare deservingness, and how does it impact the deservingness heuristics that have been shown to play a meaningful role in shaping such preferences? We explore these questions in the context of the 2023 Israeli judicial crisis, a case in which political rivalry loomed large. We hypothesized that during the crisis, affective polarization could manifest as a willingness to deny welfare benefits to political opponents, thereby exacerbating socio-economic disparities. Using a pre-registered factorial survey experiment, and in line with our expectation, we find that individuals are much less supportive of providing welfare benefits to applicants from the opposing camp. We also find that the mere mentioning of political affiliation through participation in protests reduces the level of support for the welfare recipients, compared to the control group where no political activity was mentioned, even for welfare recipients from the same political camp as the respondent. Our study has several implications. Firstly, we broaden the scope regarding the effects of affective polarization on issues beyond the political debate at hand, such as government assistance for welfare recipients. Secondly, the research provides preliminary findings on the effects of the political crisis in Israel on central social issues that seemed to be on the fringes of the dispute. Finally, the Israeli case is not unique, and therefore the findings are relevant to other countries experiencing similar socio-political upheavals.

Authors

• Gal Bitton, Tel Aviv University

• Clareta Treger, University of Toronto