evaluate the authors’ argument about polarization and political disagreement in social networks. What arguments do the authors make? What are their principal findings? Are their arguments and evidence compelling? Why or why not?

Partisan polarization has become one of the defining features of contemporary American
politics and a top concern of political scientists. The role of social media in this polarization is
often discussed and analyzed. In a recent talk, Dr. Yanna Krupnikov of the University of
Michigan presented research on the unfriending phenomenon that is co-authored with our
department’s own Dr. Elizabeth Connors and Dr. Samara Klar of the University of Arizona. The
link to Dr. Krupnikov’s talk, “‘Unfriending’: Polarization and Political Disagreement in Social
Networks can be found at this link: https://youtu.be/FfT1-sVSBzw?si=TrEFEdGh_VP9Q672
For this extra credit assignment, watch this presentation by Dr. Krupnikov. In a paper of 3 to 5
pages (typed, double-spaced with 1 inch margins and an 11 or 12 point font), evaluate the
authors’ argument about polarization and political disagreement in social networks. What
arguments do the authors make? What are their principal findings? Are their arguments and
evidence compelling? Why or why not?