The State of Respect in American Politics

Respect is increasingly viewed as lacking in American political life, which can be attributed to rising polarization. Data shows that a significant majority of Americans experience negative emotions about politics, with many feeling exhausted and angry. The findings reveal that around 60% of Democrats struggle to respect Republicans, while Republicans exhibit similar feelings toward Democrats. This lack of mutual respect is compounded by the perception that opposing partisans are often seen as ignorant or misled, highlighting a broader failure to recognize the validity of differing political views.