Performative polarization: The interactional and cultural drivers of political antagonism

Abstract

A heightened awareness of political polarization arose from backlash against identity politics in recent years. Rather than examining the deeper mechanics of this process, social science predominantly conceives political polarization in a rather static manner. This article views political polarization as taking shape in the experiences of members of the public, the disputes they engage in, witness and are aware of and moral boundaries that emerge in confrontations. This article introduces a conceptual framework of political conflict of this scope, which is informed by cultural performance theory. Performative polarization is premised upon antagonizing part of the audience in order to win over the other part. It views political conflict as constituted by 1) powerful performers and performances that provide preparatory symbolic work and 2) audiences who arbitrate these dramatic acts in ensuing performances, collectively generate emergent political divisions and implement cues in their everyday interactions.