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The only thing we do not seem to be polarizing on these days is the worry that we are polarizing. To what extent are these worries really justified? In the public as well as scientific debate, much is still unclear about what kind of polarization is taking place, who is polarizing and why, and what the consequences of polarization are. By focusing on the role of social identification and the particular importance of education in our schooled society, I aim to clarify the “what,” “who,” “why,” and “whatever” of polarization in Europe. I show that polarization is perceived rather than actually occurring, particularly among educational groups. The question “who are those people?” turns out to be a cause as well as a consequence of these false perceptions, but may also form the key to a solution.

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The only thing we do not seem to be polarizing on these days is the worry that we are polarizing. To what extent are these worries really justified? In the public as well as scientific debate, much is still unclear about what kind of polarization is taking place, who is polarizing and why, and what the consequences of polarization are. By focusing on the role of social identification and the particular importance of education in our schooled society, I aim to clarify the “what,” “who,” “why,” and “whatever” of polarization in Europe. I show that polarization is perceived rather than actually occurring, particularly among educational groups. The question “who are those people?” turns out to be a cause as well as a consequence of these false perceptions, but may also form the key to a solution.

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