Dynamics of Social Cohesion In Turbulent Times

Many contemporary social dynamics jeopardize the social fabric of our societies. Social issues such as migration and climate change often generate polarized opinions. People who previously maintained good social relations may find themselves in opposing camps with sharply differing views. What mechanisms might reverse or prevent such polarizing dynamics? What policy interventions have been attempted, and what empirical evidence exists regarding their effectiveness? To address these questions, it is important to develop suitable analytical models to understand these dynamics and examine how key mechanisms of opinion formation and network dynamics unfold. We welcome papers that develop theoretical models linking micro-level processes to macro-level outcomes. We also welcome empirical papers that test such theoretical ideas. We particularly encourage contributions that combine formal modeling, empirical analysis, and policy relevance in order to advance our understanding of how social cohesion can be sustained under conditions of polarization and uncertainty.