Why We're Polarized

1. America's political polarization is rooted in identity, not just ideology

"What we are often fighting over in American politics is group identity and status—fights that express themselves in debates over policy and power but cannot be truly reconciled by either."

Identity shapes politics. The human mind is exquisitely tuned to group affiliation and difference. Even trivial distinctions can create strong in-group loyalty and out-group hostility. In politics, this manifests as partisan identities that transcend policy positions.

Polarization reflects identity divides. Today's political divides map onto deeper identity differences:

• Race and ethnicity
• Religion and secularism
• Urban vs. rural
• Educational attainment
• Cultural values

As these identities align more closely with political parties, it amplifies polarization. Disagreements feel more personal and threatening when they implicate core aspects of who we are.

2. The civil rights movement triggered a major political realignment

"The success of the civil rights movement, and its alliance with the national Democratic Party, broke that equilibrium, destroyed the Dixiecrat wing of the Democratic Party, and triggered an era of party sorting."

Parties weren't always ideologically sorted. For much of the 20th century, both parties contained liberal and conservative factions. The Democratic Party in particular was an uneasy alliance between northern liberals and southern conservatives (Dixiecrats).

Civil rights reshaped the landscape. As Democrats embraced racial equality:

• Southern conservatives left for the Republican Party
• Northern liberals consolidated in the Democratic Party
• Parties became more ideologically and demographically distinct

This sorting process took decades but profoundly reshaped American politics, setting the stage for today's polarized landscape.

3. Media evolution has widened the knowledge gap between engaged and disengaged voters

"Greater choices lets the junkies learn more and the disinterested know less."

More choice doesn't mean more informed. The explosion of media options hasn't made the average American more politically knowledgeable. Instead, it's widened the gap between engaged and disengaged citizens.

Engagement drives knowledge gaps. In the past, limited media options meant even disinterested citizens encountered some political news. Today:

• Engaged citizens can immerse themselves in political content
• Disengaged citizens can easily avoid it entirely
• The most informed and least informed are further apart than ever

This dynamic makes it harder to have shared political realities and conversations across levels of engagement.

4. Political identities have become "mega-identities," amplifying divisions

"Partisanship can now be thought of as a mega-identity, with all the psychological and behavioral magnifications that implies."

Identities are stacking. Political affiliations increasingly align with other social identities:

• Race and ethnicity
• Religion (or lack thereof)
• Geographic location
• Education level
• Cultural tastes

Mega-identities intensify conflict. When multiple identities align, it:

• Makes political disagreements feel more personal and high-stakes
• Reduces social ties across party lines
• Makes compromise and understanding more difficult

This consolidation of identities helps explain why American politics feels more existential and zero-sum than in the past.

5. Demographic changes are reshaping American politics and fueling anxiety

"America is changing, and fast."

America is diversifying. Key demographic shifts include:

• Growing racial and ethnic diversity
• Declining religious affiliation
• Increasing urbanization
• Rising educational attainment

Change breeds anxiety. These shifts, particularly around race, are reshaping political coalitions and power dynamics. This fuels anxiety, especially among groups that fear losing status or influence.

The Republican Party in particular has become a vehicle for white, Christian, rural anxiety about these changes. This helps explain the party's increasing hostility to immigration and embrace of white identity politics.

6. The Republican Party has become more ideologically extreme than the Democratic Party

"The Republican Party ... has become ideologically extreme; contemptuous of the inherited social and economic policy regime; scornful of compromise; unpersuaded by conventional understanding of facts, evidence, and science; and dismissive of the legitimacy of its political opposition."

Asymmetric polarization. While both parties have moved away from the center, Republicans have shifted further right than Democrats have shifted left. This is evident in:

• Policy positions
• Willingness to break norms
• Attitudes toward compromise
• Relationship to facts and expertise

Structural factors drive GOP extremism. Several factors push Republicans rightward:

• Geographic advantage in the Senate and Electoral College
• More homogeneous base
• More ideologically unified media ecosystem

This asymmetry complicates efforts to reduce polarization, as "both sides" approaches often misdiagnose the problem.

7. America's political institutions struggle to function amid increased polarization

"The American political system is distinct, and in the eras it has seemed to function best, it has relied on mixed parties."

Institutions weren't designed for polarized parties. The U.S. system of checks and balances assumes some willingness to compromise. As parties become more ideologically distinct and hostile, this leads to:

• Gridlock
• Norm-breaking
• Constitutional crises

Dysfunction breeds more dysfunction. As the system fails to address problems, it fuels cynicism and extremism, creating a vicious cycle.

Key examples of institutional strain:

• Debt ceiling fights
• Government shutdowns
• Supreme Court nomination battles
• Impeachment becoming a partisan tool

8. Reforming political structures could help manage polarization's effects

"If we can't reverse polarization, as I suspect, then the path forward is clear: we need to reform the political system so it can function amid polarization."

Bombproofing institutions. Make critical government functions less vulnerable to partisan gridlock. Examples:

• Eliminating the debt ceiling
• Automating budget processes
• Expanding automatic economic stabilizers

Democratizing reforms. Make the system more responsive to popular majorities:

• Abolishing the Electoral College
• Reforming Senate representation
• Ending gerrymandering
• Expanding voting access

Balancing party power. Create structures that give both parties voice without gridlock:

• Reforming the Supreme Court nomination process
• Changing congressional rules to empower the minority party constructively

These reforms aim to make the system more resilient to polarization, not eliminate it entirely.

9. Individuals can practice "identity mindfulness" to engage more productively in politics

"If the beginning of wisdom on identity politics is recognizing that all of us are engaging in it all the time, the path of wisdom on identity politics is to be mindful of which of our identities are being activated, so that we can become intentional about which identities we work to activate."

Be aware of identity activation. Pay attention to how media and rhetoric trigger different aspects of your identity. Notice physical and emotional responses to political content.

Cultivate diverse identities. Strengthen identities beyond partisanship:

• Local community involvement
• Professional roles
• Hobbies and interests
• Shared human experiences

Engage locally. Redirect some political energy to state and local issues where:

• Your voice has more impact
• Partisan divides are often less intense
• Problems are more concrete and solvable

By being more intentional about our political engagement, we can help create a healthier political culture from the bottom up.

Last updated: August 21, 2024