Sociophysics of Polarization

We proposed (M. Kaufman et al Entropy 2022, 24(9), 1262) a statistical mechanics model for exploring dynamics of political polarization in the US. We use it to explore the effect of leadership actions and of external events on polarization. We consider three US political groups: democrats and republicans (currently highly polarized), and independents. We assume that each individual (in each of the three groups) has a stance ranging between left-leaning and right-leaning. We quantify the noise in this three groups system as a social temperature T. Individuals interact with each other within their own group and with individuals of the other groups. We generate attitude scenarios in time and explore whether concerted interventions, or unexpected shocks can alter them. We study the model with mean field (long-range) interactions and with short-range interactions via Monte Carlo simulations.