The Downside of Democracy

Polarization is becoming an increasingly visible and damaging phenomenon. Recent studies have suggested that one factor that increases polarization is the simple act of voting. This thesis builds on earlier research by examining this relationship in a controlled experiment. Participants voted in a hypothetical election and attitudes towards candidates were modulated by this act of voting. Consistent with dissonance theory and previous studies, this thesis shows that people taking a vote become more polarized than those that do not.