When debates break apart: Discursive polarization as multi-dimensional divergence emerging in and through communication

‘Polarization’ is a common diagnosis of the state of contemporary societies. Yet, few stud-ies theorize or systematically analyze how polarization evolves in media content. To guide future empirical studies, we introduce a public sphere perspective on polarization. Discur-sive Polarization, defined as divergence emerging in public communication, may disrupt the public sphere if left untamed. Its analysis should combine the study of ideological polar-ization (increasing disagreement about issues) and affective polarization (growing disaffec-tion between groups) as evolving in communication. Both processes may be measured in media content. We propose a framework combining the study of journalism and digital communication networks, looking (1) at content and (2) at networked interactions regarding both political issues and social identity formation. Exploring how the public sphere is dis-rupted in the process of Discursive Polarization may help us to understand the wider social phenomenon of polarization: before societies break apart, debates break apart.