Investigating Mechanisms of Depolarization Initatives

We employ an elite-led, bundled treatment event that seek to reduce mis-perceptions and polarization while encouraging concrete pro-democracy behaviors. Using a field experimental meta-perceptions correction, we explore whether this type of correction has enduring promise as means of reducing anti-democratic attitudes and increasing pro-democracy behaviors. We argue that these pro-democracy behaviors are especially relevant in the context of correcting misperceptions interventions because they represent a form of “disarmament” in the face of perceived anti-democratic beliefs and attitudes of political opponents. In addition to standard attitudinal measures, we explore behavioral outcomes measures that represent concrete commitments to pro-democratic action.