Polarisation (polarization) is a major challenge facing American society today. Polarisation is the increasing division of society into two or more opposing groups or blocs, each with its own set of beliefs, values, and goals. In the United States, polarisation is most evident in the political arena, where the two major parties, the Democrats and the Republicans, have become increasingly divided on a wide range of issues. This division can make it difficult to find common ground and solve problems.
I acknowledge up-front that this is more of an info-dump and does not conform to my normal writing style(s).
In the complex socio-political landscape of the United States, a multitude of intertwining factors have contributed significantly to the increasingly pervasive issue of polarization. As we delve deeper into understanding these causes, we find the following elements at the forefront:
- The rise of gerrymandering: This practice involves the strategic manipulation of electoral district boundaries to favor one party, thereby skewing election results and possibly leading to a government that doesn't accurately reflect the populace's will. Such circumstances can serve to widen the political divide further.
- The ascent of cable news and social media: These platforms have inadvertently fostered echo chambers, environments where individuals are primarily exposed to information that reaffirms their pre-existing beliefs. This situation often results in a solidification of one's viewpoints and a diminished empathy towards those holding different perspectives.
- The waning of local news: Financial difficulties have plagued local news organizations, leading to a decline in local issue coverage. The resulting lack of understanding about the perspectives of people residing in different regions can exacerbate division.
- The demise of professional journalism: In recent times, journalism has largely given way to 'infotainment', with ethical standards in journalism seeming to fall by the wayside amidst increasing commercialization. The resulting quality of published content can further feed into the cycle of division and polarization.
Polarisation has a number of negative consequences. It makes it difficult to find common ground on important issues, and it can lead to gridlock in government. It can also make it more difficult for people to have civil conversations with those who have different beliefs.
There are a number of things that can be done to heal the social wound of polarisation, such as:
- It makes it more difficult for elected officials to find common ground and compromise.
- It makes it more difficult for the government to function effectively.
- It increases the likelihood of political violence.
- It erodes trust in institutions and democratic norms.
Here are some specific examples of things that can be done to heal the social wound of polarisation:
- Supporting independent media. Independent media can help to provide Americans with a more balanced and accurate view of the world.
- Encouraging people to get out of their echo chambers. People should make an effort to expose themselves to different points of view, even if they disagree with them.
- Fostering civic engagement. People should get involved in their communities and work together to solve problems.
- Supporting reforms to campaign finance and lobbying laws. These reforms would help to reduce the influence of money in politics.
Polarisation is a complex problem, and there is no easy solution. However, by taking steps to address the underlying causes of polarisation, we can begin to heal the social wound and build a more united and democratic society. In these times where both internal and external threats are challenging our society, it is important that we remember that we are all Americans. We have more in common than we think. We all want what is best for our country, and we should be able to work together to achieve that goal.
Leading scholars and experts in the area of Polarisation in American society:
- Elisabeth Noelle-Neumann, a German political scientist who developed the theory of the spiral of silence.
- Thomas E. Patterson, an American political scientist who has written extensively on the rise of cable news and its impact on polarisation.
- George Lakoff, an American linguist and philosopher who has written extensively on the role of language in shaping political beliefs.
- Cass R. Sunstein, an American legal scholar and former professor at Harvard Law School who has written extensively on the dangers of groupthink and the importance of diversity of opinion.
- Jonathan Haidt, an American social psychologist who has written extensively on the moral foundations of political polarisation.
These are just a few of the many scholars and experts who are working to understand and address the problem of Polarisation in American society. Their work is essential to finding solutions to this complex and pressing problem.
Textbooks on the subject of Polarisation in American Society:
- Polarisation in American Politics by Keith T. Poole and Howard Rosenthal
- The Polarisation of American Politics by Thomas E. Mann and Norman J. Ornstein
- The Big Sort: Why the Clustering of Like-Minded America Is Tearing Us Apart by Bill Bishop
- Identity Crisis: The 2016 Election and the Fracturing of American Democracy by Ezra Klein
- Uncivil Agreement: How Politics Became Our Identity and What It Means for Our Future by Lilliana Mason
These textbooks provide a comprehensive overview of the causes, consequences, and potential solutions to Polarisation in American society. They are essential reading for anyone who wants to understand this complex and pressing problem.
Leading journal articles on the subject of Polarisation in American Society:
- The rise of partisan polarisation in American politics by Keith T. Poole and Howard Rosenthal (1985)
- The polarisation of American parties and the decline of trust in government by Morris P. Fiorina (1999)
- The partisan brain: How the two parties’ brains have grown apart, and why it matters by Ezra Klein (2020)
These articles provide a comprehensive overview of the causes, consequences, and potential solutions to Polarisation in American society. They are essential reading for anyone who wants to understand this complex and pressing problem.
In addition to these articles, there are a number of other scholarly journals that publish research on Polarisation in American society. Some of these journals include:
- American Political Science Review: This is the flagship journal of the American Political Science Association and one of the most prestigious and influential journals in the field. It publishes articles on all aspects of political science, including theory, methods, comparative politics, international relations, public policy, and American politics. You can access it online at https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/american-political-science-review.
- American Journal of Political Science: This is another leading journal that covers a wide range of topics in political science, with an emphasis on empirical and quantitative research. It also features a section on replication and data access to promote transparency and reproducibility in the discipline. You can find it online at https://ajps.org/.
- Political Behavior: This is a journal that focuses on the psychological, social, and cultural aspects of political behavior, such as voting, public opinion, participation, attitudes, values, identity, and emotions. It uses various methods and approaches, such as surveys, experiments, content analysis, and computational modeling. You can check it out online at https://www.springer.com/journal/11109.
- Political Communication: This is a journal that explores the role of communication in politics, such as media effects, political rhetoric, campaigns, persuasion, deliberation, and social media. It draws on insights from communication studies, political science, sociology, psychology, and other disciplines. You can read it online at https://www.tandfonline.com/toc/upcp20/current.
- Public Opinion Quarterly: This is a journal that specializes in the study of public opinion and its measurement, analysis, and implications. It covers topics such as survey research methods, polling techniques, opinion formation and change, media effects, political psychology, and social indicators. You can browse it online at https://academic.oup.com/poq.
These journals publish research on a wide range of topics related to polarisation, including the causes, consequences, and potential solutions to this problem.
