Reevaluating the Role of Politics in Social Interactions: A Conjoint Analysis Approach in the Czech Republic

The prevailing assumption in recent studies is the profound influence of political and affective polarization on people's everyday lives beyond the political sphere. This research seeks to critically assess this assumption by examining the relative weight of political preferences in the context of other social interaction determinants. Utilizing a conjoint experiment involving 2,000 participants from the Czech Republic, the study compares the impact of political affiliations with other factors such as social status, cultural tastes, and personal preferences, in shaping individuals' willingness to engage in conversations with others. Our investigation centers on the question: Is politics a dominant influence that biases people's social interactions? Findings indicate that while homophily – the propensity to associate with similar others – is a pervasive influence across various domains, political preferences notably stand out. They exhibit significant positive and negative effects on the willingness to engage socially, surpassing other factors. Specific political stances, especially on issues like support for Ukraine in the context of Russian aggression, and alignment with certain party preferences, emerge as particularly influential. These results underscore the critical role that politics plays in individuals' lives, extending its influence beyond formal political arenas into everyday social relations. The strong reactions to political homophily observed in this study suggests that political identities and opinions are not just confined to civic engagement but are also key to understanding broader social dynamics.