Intra-Partisan Conflict and Factional Social Identities

• In Event: Understanding Intra-party Norms and Polarization

Abstract

Inter-partisan conflict is increasing in the United States. Research shows that partisans now hate and even discriminate against members of the opposing political party. At the same time, intra-partisan conflict is also on the rise: primary elections are increasingly contested, and politicians employ violent rhetoric and, at times, physical attacks against members of other factions within their own party. Despite growing conflict between factions, little is understood about how the American public relates to these intra-party groups. In this paper, I draw from original surveys to examine the extent to which the public identifies with intra-party factions. I show that sizable portions of partisans identify with factional groups within their party. Moreover, my survey results suggest that affective polarization between factional groups exists at the mass level. Individuals not only feel warmly toward members of their own faction, but they also often dislike members of opposing factional groups. Lastly, I consider whether factional identities among members of the mass public are driven primarily by policy positions or other group identities. Findings from this paper reveal that factional groups in American parties have become salient social identities, driving intra-partisan affective polarization.

Author

• Sam Frederick, Columbia University