(Social) Media: Binding or Blinding? : On the Impact of Digitalization in the Netherlands and Beyond

This article focuses on the polarization of societal issues such as climate change. We argue for a detailed conceptualization of polarization and aim to understand the influence of traditional and social media on polarization processes. Four different types of polarization are distinguished: ideological, affective, factual belief and perceived polarization. Contrary to prevailing negative narratives about the impact of digitalization on polarization processes, we argue that a nuanced account expresses a need for empirical research. The paper seeks to shed light on how media, both traditional a... Mehr ...