Identity Over Facts:: People often share misinformation not because they believe it, but to signal loyalty to their "tribe".
The Echo Chamber Effect:: Individuals in biased right-wing networks are 70% more likely to believe fake news if it targets the opposing party.
Affective Polarization:: There is a rising global trend of not just disagreeing with the "other side," but actively disliking and distrusting them.
Religious and Exceptionalist Ties:: American "exceptionalism" can make political compromise feel like a moral failure, exacerbating polarization.
Urgent Research Gaps
Comparative Global Studies:: Research comparing the US to multi-party systems (like Switzerland) to see if different structures "buffer" misinformation.
The Role of "Influencers":: Very little research exists on how TikTok and Instagram influencers shape youth beliefs compared to traditional news.
Academic References (APA)
Boxell, L., Gentzkow, M., & Shapiro, J. M. (2024). Cross-country trends in affective polarization. *Review of Economics and Statistics*, 106(2), 557-565.
Liu, N. (2020). Political Polarization in the United States. *International Social Science Review*, 96(2), 1-24.