The Growing Political Polarization

Political polarization in the United States has reached unprecedented levels, with many Americans viewing those from opposing parties as evil or less than human. Research indicates that these dehumanizing attitudes exist before instances of mass violence, suggesting a troubling trend in societal perceptions. The impact of political affiliation on individual identity has intensified, leading people to align their social, racial, and geographic identities with their party affiliation. This deepening divide has resulted in a significant rise in affective polarization, where feelings toward the opposing party are rooted in animosity rather than fundamental policy disagreements.