We are increasingly talking about social division or polarization. In the public sphere, strong likes and dislikes for political parties and conflicting opinions on various sensitive issues are bubbling up. Although discussion and diversity of opinion are the foundation of democracy, in the public sphere there is less healthy criticism of decisions, actions, or ideas, and more labeling of people who make decisions or propose ideas.
The issues that become wedges in society are those where two clear groups, “us” and “them,” can be seen on emotionally charged topics. At the peak of tension, different camps begin labeling each other: anti-vaxxers vs. vaxxers, vatniks vs. conservative fanatics, rotten elite vs. peasants, and so on.
Labels are only the tip of the iceberg – many “smaller” topics do not reach this level of tension. Still, in a context saturated with tension and opposition, any division of society into two clear groups can become an additional wedge. Especially when one side assumes the role of an all-knowing authority or righteous party, while the other side is left with <…>
Read more: https://www.lrt.lt/naujienos/verslo-pozicija/692/2918327/giedre-zurbaite-pensiju-reforma-viesojoje-erdveje-zibalas-i-poliarizacijos-lauza
