The Nature of Political Polarization

Political polarization in the United States is characterized by high levels of emotional dislike between partisans, a phenomenon known as affective polarization. While individuals may feel a strong aversion toward the opposing party, research indicates that Americans actually share more policy agreement than is commonly perceived. The disconnect arises because elected politicians tend to be more ideologically polarized than the general electorate, leading citizens to mistakenly attribute extreme views to their peers. This misperception fuels divisive sentiments, making it essential to bridge the gap between perceived and actual political beliefs among the populace.