Political Polarization
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Purple State Extremism? How Two-Party States Polarize
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Many Americans believe national politics are more polarized than ever. The common narrative is that Americans increasingly self-segregate their neighborhoods, media consumption, and even dating lives along partisan lines. This self-sorting creates enclaves of like-minded Americans — “red” and “blue” neighborhoods, counties, and states. As a result, voters elect politically…
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How Fake News Spreads on Twitter
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The 2016 presidential election was a watershed moment in American politics. Political polarization reached its highest ebb in decades, fueled in part by individuals’ self-guided consumption of media matched to their own political ideologies. During and after the election, there was public scrutiny of “fake news”—inaccurate information published and shared…
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Understanding Political Polarization: Perceived Threat and Conflict Attitudes
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Recent election results around the world reflect political polarization that is straining the fabric of democracy. Voting patterns indicate a preference for authoritarian leaders who promise closed borders and promote nationalism as an ideal. In a world where immigration is rising, it is important to understand both the resulting policy…
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In Congress, Are Polarized Politics a Sign of Good Representation?
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In America today, there is a growing consensus that our politics are becoming increasingly polarized—especially in the U.S. House of Representatives. Many scholars argue that this polarization has had a negative impact on the policy making process. They have argued that, as members of Congress edge toward the ideological extremes…