political polarization paper
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Political Science
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Dec 6, 2023
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Uploaded by DeanDolphin3593
Political Polarization- What Needs to be done, and How?
Political polarization has become an increasingly salient issue in the United
States in recent years. As the country has become more divided along ideological lines,
it has become more difficult for politicians to find common ground and work together to
address the country's most pressing challenges. While political polarization is not a new
phenomenon in American politics, many experts argue that it has become more extreme
in recent years due to a number of factors, including the rise of social media and the
increasing influence of ideological interest groups. In this essay, I will examine the
causes and consequences of political polarization in the United States, and explore
possible solutions to this pressing problem.
Political polarization is when people's political beliefs become more extreme
and divided. It's a concern to American democracy because it can lead to a lack of
compromise and cooperation between political parties, which can make it difficult to
pass legislation and make progress. This can also lead to a lack of trust in the
government and can make it easier for extremist groups to gain support.
(Pew Research
Center)
Political polarization in the US is driven by a number of factors, including
ideological sorting, geographic sorting, and the increasing role of money in politics.
Ideological sorting refers to the tendency of voters to align themselves with a particular
political party based on their beliefs and values, while geographic sorting refers to the
tendency of like-minded people to cluster together in particular regions or states.
According to
Brookings
, the increasing role of money in politics has contributed to
polarization by allowing wealthy interest groups to wield disproportionate influence over
the political process.
The article also informs that political polarization is not a new phenomenon in the
US, but has been a long-standing feature of American politics. However, the article
argues that polarization has become more extreme in recent years due to a number of
factors, including the rise of social media and the increasing influence of ideological
interest groups.
The consequences of growing political polarization can be significant and far-
reaching. Some of the most commonly cited consequences include a lack of
cooperation and compromise between political parties, which can make it difficult to
pass legislation and make progress on important issues. This can also lead to a lack of
trust in the government and can make it easier for extremist groups to gain support.
Polarization can also lead to increased social and political unrest, as well as a
breakdown in civil discourse and an increase in political violence. Additionally,
polarization can have negative effects on mental health and well-being, as individuals
are increasingly exposed to extreme and divisive rhetoric.
According to
The Atlantic
, there are several potential solutions to political
polarization, including increasing civic engagement, promoting cross-partisan dialogue,
and reforming the political system to reduce the influence of money in politics. Other
potential solutions include increasing media literacy and promoting a more diverse and
inclusive media landscape, as well as encouraging political leaders to take a more
moderate and collaborative approach to governance.
Some of the most compelling solutions mentioned in the article include
promoting cross-partisan dialogue, increasing media literacy, and reforming the political
system to reduce the influence of money in politics. These solutions have the potential
to address some of the root causes of polarization and promote a more collaborative
and inclusive political culture. (
Vox
)
However, it's difficult to say which solutions are most likely to be implemented,
as this will depend on a variety of factors, including political will, public opinion, and the
ability of organizations and individuals to mobilize around these issues. That being said,
there are many organizations and movements working to address political polarization
and promote more collaborative and inclusive politics, so there is reason to be hopeful
that progress can be made. Ultimately, it will be up to all Americans to come together
and work towards a more unified and collaborative future.
Works Cited
https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2016/03/whats-the-answer-to-
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political-polarization/470163/
https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2014/06/12/7-things-to-know-about-
polarization-in-america/
https://www.brookings.edu/articles/thinking-about-political-polarization/
https://www.vox.com/polyarchy/2017/6/27/15880328/how-to-reduce-partisan-
polarization