Asymmetric Influence: Politicians Can Fuel but Not Dampen Conflict

ABSTRACT Research from the deeply polarized United States suggests that the impact of elite communication is asymmetrical: antagonistic messages often heighten divisions, while positive appeals fail to dampen them. In this study, we examine the extent of these dynamics in one of the least polarized democracies: Norway. Using a survey‐experimental design fielded in the Norwegian Citizen Panel ( N = 2287), we test whether mutual recrimination between elites amplifies perceptions of political conflict and whether positive messaging mitigates them. The experiment exposes citizens to episodes in which elites either engaged in mutual recrimination or conciliatory actions revolving around the July 22, 2011 terrorist attacks. The results show that while recrimination significantly heightens perceptions of conflict, positive messaging has no measurable impact, even in a low‐polarized setting. These findings contribute to understanding the boundary conditions of elite influence, suggesting that for political leaders, it is easier to fan the flames of conflict than to put out the fire.