When people who would normally protest against each other end up on the same side, what keeps them together? Psychologist Milan Obaidi, Associate Professor at the University of Copenhagen, has studied this through observation and in-depth interviews with demonstrators. Many described themselves first as "people" or "critical thinkers" united by a shared cause, and their political differences mattered less when working together helped everyone reach the goal. Shared identity, in other words, does not necessarily require shared ideology. The conversation, hosted by editor Mette Holbæk, also looks at the other side of this: such cooperation can build bridges across deep divides, but it can also give extreme groups wider support.
Obaidi is the editor of the prize-winning "The Cambridge Handbook of the Psychology of Violent Extremism" (Cambridge University Press, 2025). The evening is part of the series "Verden forsøgt forklaret", where researchers discuss the issues that shape our shared world. The conversation is recorded and released as a podcast the following week.
