#21 Is the world becoming more polarized?
We once debated policy; now we see opposing opinions as existential threats
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Yes
The US Capitol attack. Brexit. Yellow Vests. Black Lives Matter. #MeToo. Anti-COVID lockdowns. Trump. Milei.
Polarization, the division of society into sharply opposed groups, is on the rise.
It’s not just events. Data, unfortunately, proves it too (Here, here & here).
Source: Affective Polarization in Comparative and Longitudinal Perspective | Public Opinion Quarterly | Oxford Academic
We seem to be as connected as ever and, yet, we stand as divided as we have ever been.
Why?
Inequality, Identity, Individualism
We are splitting along three fault lines: inequality, identity, and individualism. Anchored by a lost moral compass and deepened and exploited by identity politics and social media.
Growing Inequality
Numbers are clear. In the US, the top 10% went from earning 30% of all income in 1980 to 45% today. And from 70% of wealth to 80%. The UK, and much of the developed world mirror this, with top earners moving from 28% to 39%.
This is driven by exponential technological progress and the weakening of labor institutions (through deregulation and diminished union power), both of which disproportionately reward educated individuals while displacing traditional workers.
Identity fragmentation
We’ve transitioned from simple, inherently unfair systems to more complex and equitable ones. Globalization brought opportunity—but also cultural friction. Immigration made nations diverse—and challenged societal cohesion. The civil rights movements fought for justice—but sparked division.
Fairness didn’t come without fractures.
Social media has further exacerbated this identity fragmentation, pulling us into micro tribes, into digital eco chambers that amplify extreme views and isolate us from broader society.
And, in such a context, politicians found a new weapon: identity. With political parties shifting from healthy disagreements on policy issues—the natural tension of democracy—to a pervasive fear that the opposing party’s success would lead to the nation’s ruin.
Partisanship morphed into patriotism.
Rising Individualism
Technology empowers us—but isolates us. In the past, success relied on strong connections within society, but today, the internet and social media enable us to thrive independently.
As such, today we praise the “Sovereign Individual” and we value “freedom” above community.
All of which, in a world where families and birthrates shrink and single households rise.
And where our communal institutions, governments, and religions, are distrusted and forgotten.
Source: Public Trust in Government: 1958-2024 | Pew Research Center
We lost our shared moral compass. And, empowered, we decided to go our own way.
Neighbours, not strangers
Let’s face the truth: this new era—multicultural, technology-driven, and complex in its identities—is here to stay.
The road to de-polarization is anything but simple, and we certainly don’t claim to have all the answers.
However, we do have a shared set of beliefs—a vision for the changes we must embrace together as a society:
Politicians must abandon short-termist and populist tactics that deepen divides
Actions such as imposing arbitrary quotas without clear long-term goals, raising taxes without addressing systemic inefficiencies (thanks, DOGE), or introducing policies purely to appease certain groups (see rent price caps), are not only useless in the long run but erode trust and alienate large portions of society.
While long-term solutions may cause short-term pain, this is the only way. And to do so, we need a new political class, one that, instead of spinning popular fantasies, faces brutal public truth-telling.
One that prioritizes the collective good over short-term popularity.
We need to embrace sustainable growth as a shared priority
Economic growth is the engine of social progress. Wealthier nations deliver better education, healthcare, and overall quality of life. This is especially true when growth is driven by large, top-tier companies that fuel higher R&D budgets, better wages, and robust employee development programs.
Source: It is all about the superstars - by Pieter Garicano
But growth alone is not enough—it must also be environmentally sustainable and socially responsible. Companies must actively be part of the solution, not contributors to the problem.
Balancing growth with responsibility isn’t always easy. Emerging technologies like AI highlight the need to take calculated risks and avoid stifling innovation with overly cautious regulations.
It’s time to make economic growth our top priority again —but with a new approach. Fewer barriers, combined with stronger commitments from businesses to drive societal progress, can create a synergy that forms the foundation of a more equitable future.
Social Media Platforms must create mechanisms to promote diverse perspectives.
Regulation should mandate transparency around how content is ranked and recommended.
Platforms must be required to give users more control over their feeds (e.g., chronological timelines or alternative viewpoints) and governments could impose penalties for content that is intentionally divisive or misleading.
Individuals must rediscover empathy and challenge their own biases.
The most powerful lever for change is a shift in mindsets. We must move away from the veneration of individualism that isolates us and weakens society.
We must understand that privilege is not earned—it is the product of circumstances beyond our control. A wealthy, educated society breeds individual success, not the other way around.
We must also discard rigid identities. We are not defined by political labels but by opinions that evolve. We are, in fact, identity-less. Critical thinking, constructive opinions and the courage to challenge group narratives are essential.
And we must bring back some of the values we’ve lost: respect, empathy, humility, and sacrifice. These are the building blocks of strong communities and the source of deeper meaning in our lives.
Without them, neither individuals nor societies can truly thrive.
It’s time to rebuild our social fabric. As the neighbors we are, not the strangers we seem to be.
As a place where we care for one another, not fight with each other.
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