Safeguards to Ensure Procedural Fairness and Security during Democratic Deliberation Improve Cooperation in Politically-Polarized Moral Dilemmas

This study examined the effect of deliberation structures on Republican and Democrat participants’ need satisfaction (e.g., procedural justice, self-determination, security), trust, and willingness to cooperatively resolve a politically-contentious moral dilemma (i.e., abortion). Participants reported greater need satisfaction, trust, and cooperation when deliberation was well-structured and civility was enforced.