How political disagreements escalate into moral conflicts
During recent crises, such as the pandemic and emerging wars, it became clear that disagreements over issues like immigration, vaccination, and climate policy can quickly harden into mutually distrustful “us versus them” conflicts. But how can we explain this? When do political disagreements escalate into toxic moral conflicts that can pose a threat to democratic stability?
A key insight is that toxic polarization is not merely about differences of opinion, but that emotions and moral convictions play a central role. When people perceive their opponents’ behavior as intentionally harmful, this may trigger them to “moralize” their political views—linking them to core values such as freedom or equality. Because these values must be protected (at all costs), this can spark a vicious cycle of growing hostility and eroding democratic principles.
This research shows that this process arises not just on an individual level, but also within groups. When people surround themselves with like-minded others (in so-called “bubbles”), their motivation to moralize increases. They react more strongly and emotionally to perceived threats from the other side and are more likely to view opponents as evil.
The findings reveal a dangerous interplay between polarization and moralization, which reduces the willingness to compromise and undermines trust in other groups. It can even fuel support for anti-democratic leaders. To prevent this, the research proposes strategies such as regulating morally and emotionally charged misinformation on social media. This work underscores the urgency of breaking the vicious cycle of toxic polarization but without undermining democratic engagement.