The Logic of Connective Faction: How Digitally-Networked Elites and Hyper-Partisan Media Radicalize Politics

Across democratic systems, ideological cleavages increasingly emerge not only between but also within political parties. At the same time, hyperpartisan and digitally networked media ecosystems amplify polarization by fostering ideologically segmented information networks. To explain the interplay between internal party divisions and digital connectivity, we introduce a novel framework termed the “logic of connective faction.” We illustrate this framework via a case from the US, and the sudden circulation of the issue of “Critical Race Theory” (CRT), which became a far-right moniker for regressive education policies. Utilizing an original dataset comprising right-wing and mainstream news sources, newsletters, and social media posts by Republican Members of Congress (n = 1,941,742), we analyze ideological behavior and connectivity patterns, distinguishing Republicans who adopted the “CRT” issue from their co-partisans who did not. We find that the former group represents a distinct faction characterized by greater ideological extremity and deeper integration into right-wing digital networks. Beyond this combination of political behavior and digital connectivity, we highlight various networked media logics, such as platform-based engagement and media attention, which may incentivize such factional behaviors. Finally, we consider implications for political actors and media systems beyond the US.