Download This PaperIdeological Segregation Online and Offline
Chicago Booth Research Paper No. 10-19
Chicago Booth Initiative on Global Markets Working Paper No. 55.
52 Pages Posted: 13 Apr 2010 Last revised: 14 Apr 2010
There are 2 versions of this paper
Ideological Segregation Online and Offline
Ideological Segregation Online and Offline
Date Written: April 13, 2010
Abstract
We use individual and aggregate data to ask how the Internet is changing the ideological segregation of the American electorate. Focusing on online news consumption, offline news consumption, and face-to-face social interactions, we define ideological segregation in each domain using standard indices from the literature on racial segregation. We find that ideological segregation of online news consumption is low in absolute terms, higher than the segregation of most offline news consumption, and significantly lower than the segregation of face-to-face interactions with neighbors, co-workers, or family members. We find no evidence that the Internet is becoming more segregated over time.
Keywords: News, Internet, Echo Chambers
JEL Classification: D83, L86
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation
Matthew Aaron Gentzkow
University of Chicago - Booth School of Business ( email )
5807 S. Woodlawn Avenue
Chicago, IL 60637
United States
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