Politics as a Social Compass: Political Preferences and Social Interactions

• In Event: Mobilization and Polarization in Central and Eastern Europe

Abstract

The documented impact of politics on social relationships is significant. This paper explores how political preferences influence social interactions in the Czech Republic, compared to non-political factors. Employing a conjoint experiment with 2,000 participants, the study evaluates the effects of political affiliations, social status, and cultural tastes on interpersonal engagement. We find that political preferences have the strongest impact, both positive and negative. Stances on the Ukraine conflict amid Russian aggression and party alignments are particularly potent influences on social judgments. The results demonstrate the profound reach of politics into everyday interactions, overshadowing other social and personal characteristics.

Authors

• Lenka Hrbkova, Masaryk University

• Petr Voda, Masaryk University