The Politics of Polarization

(3 Credit Hours) · Undergraduate

Political polarization in American politics has reached a new level of contentiousness in the last two to three decades. The media tells us members of the American public are balkanized into red and blue states, whose respective residents clash along partisan lines during every national election. Headlines proclaim we are a nation divided, the moderate middle is a thing of the past, and there is no remedy in sight. In this course, we will investigate the breadth and depth of political polarization in the United States among politicians, activists, and the public, as well as its social, partisan, and political origins. We will also consider the consequences of political polarization for American democracy, including its impact on electoral politics, democratic representation, and public policy.