Location
Constitutionalism
Level of Education
Undergraduate
Keywords
Politics, Political Parties, Democrat, Republican, Polarization, Founding Fathers, Media, News Media
Presenter Names and Speeches.
Patricia Cazeau
Abstract
In the modern age of the 24-hour news cycle and social media, misinformation is rampant, and tensions are high. With a constant barrage of information coming from either direction, political opinions grow in number, and often in opposition to one another. This widens the fissure between the two major political parties in America, the conservative Republican, and liberal Democratic parties. Based on a study of 11 countries, including the United States, political polarization threatens democracies by creating political “tribes” that subscribe to groupthink, a harmful ideology that uplifts one school of thought while condemning others. In addition to having violent effects on the citizens, the polarization of political parties in the United States has led to more frequent and prolonged national and local government shutdowns, including the longest government shutdown in American history in 2019. Without agreement on key legislation and courses of action on issues, governments cannot efficiently serve the public. Recognizing the impacts of political polarization in the United States is the only way to begin formulating solutions to the material issues that Americans face today.
Included in
American Studies Commons, Ethics and Political Philosophy Commons, Other Arts and Humanities Commons
The Polarization of Political Parties and the American Republic
Constitutionalism
In the modern age of the 24-hour news cycle and social media, misinformation is rampant, and tensions are high. With a constant barrage of information coming from either direction, political opinions grow in number, and often in opposition to one another. This widens the fissure between the two major political parties in America, the conservative Republican, and liberal Democratic parties. Based on a study of 11 countries, including the United States, political polarization threatens democracies by creating political “tribes” that subscribe to groupthink, a harmful ideology that uplifts one school of thought while condemning others. In addition to having violent effects on the citizens, the polarization of political parties in the United States has led to more frequent and prolonged national and local government shutdowns, including the longest government shutdown in American history in 2019. Without agreement on key legislation and courses of action on issues, governments cannot efficiently serve the public. Recognizing the impacts of political polarization in the United States is the only way to begin formulating solutions to the material issues that Americans face today.
