PhD Defence Linda Doornbosch Akse | Building Bridges Through Talk | Exploring Intergroup Dialogue to Strengthen Weak Ties in Polarized Democracies

Building Bridges Through Talk | Exploring Intergroup Dialogue to Strengthen Weak Ties in Polarized Democracies

Linda Doornbosch-Akse is a PhD student in the department Communication Science. (Co)Promotors are prof.dr. M.D.T. de Jong and dr. H.A. van  Vuuren from the faculty of Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences, University of Twente.

The 2016 U.S. presidential election, in which Donald Trump claimed a surprising victory, held a mirror to the world. A nation once seen as a beacon of democratic strength now looked vulnerable and deeply divided. Today, the United States is no longer unique-polarization is surging across the globe, testing the resilience of democracies.

The causes of this rising polarization are multifaceted and complex. Globalization, individualization, digitalization, economic inequality, and a fragmented media landscape have all deepened social divides. While technology connects us more than ever, we paradoxically feel lonelier and more isolated. Where social interactions once emerged spontaneously in public spaces, we now retreat into digital echo chambers and social bubbles with like-minded others. This lack of contact with those holding different views fuels mutual distrust, reinforces black-and-white thinking, and fosters a “us-versus-them” mentality. As a result, it becomes increasingly difficult to have constructive conversations and work together on solutions to complex societal challenges.

Scholars such as Fukuyama (1995) and Putnam (2000) emphasize the crucial role of bridging social capital—social ties that connect diverse individuals and groups—in sustaining a healthy democracy. This form of social capital acts as an invisible glue that holds communities together and enables collective action. While various strategies have been proposed to rebuild these eroding ties, how such connections truly form remains largely unknown.

This dissertation explores how communication can foster the development of bridging social capital and reduce polarization. It distinguishes between issue-based polarization (ideological divides over contentious topics) and identity-based polarization (where group identities and emotions dominate). The focus is on intergroup dialogue—structured, face-to-face communication between people from different backgrounds and identities aimed at enhancing mutual understanding and building positive relationships. The United States serves as the case study.

The research builds on Allport’s (1954) contact hypothesis, which suggests that intergroup contact—under the right conditions—can reduce prejudice. Yet, there is limited understanding of the underlying mechanisms that produce such positive outcomes (Frantell et al., 2019). While much polarization research relies on indirect interventions, studies of direct contact between groups remain scarce. Research on intergroup dialogue is largely confined to academic settings, with few in-depth examinations in everyday contexts (Frantell et al., 2019). Moreover, most data come from interviews and surveys rather than direct observation of these conversations (Frantell et al., 2019). Despite broad agreement on its benefits, surprisingly little is understood about what actually happens within these conversations as they unfold.

This dissertation addresses that gap by analyzing the authentic, real-time (verbal) behavior of participants during intergroup dialogues in American society. This approach offers a rich, detailed picture of how these challenging conversations play out—and how participants navigate differences and create a positive climate for constructive, respectful dialogue.