Trigger Points: Inequality and Political Polarization in Contemporary Society
About this ebook
Today’s political debates are fiercely polarized. But looking beyond the headlines, this book shows that ordinary citizens hold much more nuanced, less divided views.
Drawing on rich survey data and group discussions, this work maps four major areas of conflict: migration, climate change, diversity, and economic justice.
Across these conflicts, most citizens take positions that are middle-of-the-road, contradictory, or undecided. It is only certain ‘trigger points' – like gendered pronouns or refugee admissions – that predictably ignite tensions and deep disagreement.
Political entrepreneurs know this and weaponize trigger points for their agenda. Yet the real key to contemporary conflicts, the book argues, lies in social inequality.
This is a vital work that maps today’s political landscape without sensationalism, offering a fresh lens on public debate.
About the author
Steffen Mau is Director at the Max Planck Institute of Political and Social Science and Professor of Macrosociology at Humboldt-University of Berlin.
Thomas Lux is Senior Researcher at the Max Planck Institute of Political and Social Science.
Linus Westheuser is Senior Researcher at the Max Planck Institute of Political and Social Science.
