How Do Environments Shape the Presence and Degree of Interpersonal Political Interactions?

By: Stone Neilon, Anand E. Sokhey, Matthew T. Pietryka

Abstract:Ìý

• We investigate how two types of environments shape interpersonal political interactions: demographic environments and built environments.
• We find relationships between the demographic (partisan) environment effects and both core and acquaintance network composition.
• Individuals residing in counties with more Democrats (Republicans) name more Democrats (Republicans) in their core networks, as well as in their acquaintance networks.
• We find little support that the built environment – at least as measured – predicts patterns of interpersonal political interaction.