Seeing Us in Them: Social Divisions and the Politics of Group Empathy

What causes some people to stand in solidarity with those from other races, religions, or nationalities, even when that solidarity does not seem to benefit the individual or their group? Seeing Us in Them examines outgroup empathy as a powerful predisposition in politics that pushes individuals to see past social divisions and work together in complex, multicultural societies. It also reveals racial/ethnic intergroup differences in this predisposition, rooted in early patterns of socialization and collective memory. Outgroup empathy explains why African Americans vehemently oppose the border wall and profiling of Arabs, why Latinos are welcoming of Syrian refugees and support humanitarian assistance, why some white Americans march in support of Black Lives Matter through a pandemic, and even why many British citizens oppose Brexit. Outgroup empathy is not na ve; rather it is a rational and necessary force that helps build trust and maintain stable democratic norms of compromise and reciprocity.


About the Author
Sirin, Cigdem V.: - Cigdem V. Sirin is Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Texas at El Paso. Her research interests center on examining the microfoundations of interstate and intrastate conflict processes and outcomes.Valentino, Nicholas A.: - Nicholas A. Valentino is Professor of Political Science and Research Professor in the Center for Political Studies at the University of Michigan. He studies political campaigns, racial attitudes, emotions, and social group cues in political communication.Villalobos, José D.: - José D. Villalobos is Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Texas at El Paso. His research examines public opinion and policy making dynamics in the areas of the US presidency, race and ethnicity, and immigration.