We Cannot Disagree Forever! Reality Polarization and Citizens’ Post-Pandemic Fiscal Adjustment Preferences

Recent studies have found considerable partisan polarization of both reality and policy preferences in the US. Furthermore, this is so entrenched that it immune to provision factual information. Has COVID-19 pandemic, which affects citizens unequally, reproduced or disrupted these patterns? To answer question, we conducted a US-wide conjoint survey experiment with embedded information treatments. We focus on citizens’ fiscal adjustment given (anticipated) lasting legacy. find perceptions regarding pandemic over post-COVID-19 are polarized along familiar lines, but map less well onto traditional socio- economic cleavages. However, largely disappears when exposed predicted deaths income losses. This de-polarizing effect due synchronous movement by Democrats Republicans, bridges gap between them. Importantly, such has additional re-set shifting towards greater reliance wealth corporate taxes. further evidence consensus post-pandemic ’New Deal’ feasible potentially lasting.