New findings reveal that repression does not uniformly increase polarization; its effects depend on the type of repression experienced.

This study investigates how political polarization emerges under repressive conditions, challenging the common assumption that all forms of repression lead to greater division. Using psychological theories of social identity and evidence from laboratory experiments alongside case studies of Egypt and Tunisia,

The author finds distinct outcomes based on repression style:

* Targeted repression primes: Increase in-group identification and polarization between groups.

* Widespread repression primes: Decrease levels of group identification and polarization.

The findings suggest that the specific nature of repression significantly influences political dynamics, with implications for understanding how repressive environments might affect cooperation among opposition actors—a crucial factor for democratic success.

These results highlight a nuanced relationship between state control measures and public opinion formation.