"A certain degree of polarisation is part of any democracy, because the free exchange of diverse opinions is at the heart of democratic decision-making. But when differences escalate into hostility or us-versus-them thinking, dialogue breaks down and cooperation becomes difficult. This puts pressure on the tolerance that is necessary to live together democratically," according to Van Burgsteden.
Depolarise
She continues: "In a time of rising tensions and hardening debate, the question is urgent: how do we depolarise our society? The social sciences and humanities do not offer quick fixes, but they do offer something fundamental – a deeper understanding of people, society and how we deal with difference."
'Us-them'
Van Burgesteden offers several examples to illustrate this. "From history, for example, we can learn how societies dealt with polarisation in the past. Research in sociology and psychology shows how groupthink and “us-them” mechanisms arise, and that polarisation is not only about disagreement; it also touches on issues such as recognition, identity and trust. In philosophy, research into polarisation is mainly about the ethical and moral aspects: how does polarisation influence our moral beliefs and our sense of group identity? At the same time, art and literature open another door: that of imagination, empathy and the ability to truly hear someone else's story. And from communication sciences, we know how media content and (online) communication patterns can fuel, reinforce or actually help slow down polarisation."
Face-to-face
Van Burgstedens own research is in the field of language and communication and focuses on the ‘real-life’dynamics of (de)polarisation. "Using (video) recordings of face-to-face conversations or online conversations, I analyse the moments that lead to escalation in a conversation and possibly to an impasse, or, conversely, to mutual understanding. By identifying these kinds of ‘conversational turning points’ – such as a moment when someone's concerns are acknowledged within the interaction, or when a personal attack occurs – we can better understand how polarisation emerges and how depolarisation can take shape. This will give us more insight into why discussions about controversial topics become polarised, and into the possibilities for depolarisation or dialogue."
Crucial insights
She concludes: "Especially in times of social unrest and information overload, the social sciences and humanities offer crucial insights into human behaviour, ethics, communication and coexistence. They raise fundamental questions: How do we stay in conversation? What is fair? How can we depolarise polarised discussions? That is why it is important that we continue to invest in these disciplines, not only because they help us understand, but because they make connection possible."