Political polarization in America is the disparity and divergence of the political ideologies, attitudes, and policies that are connected to an individual being defined concerning the partisan divide he or she is aligned. In the USA someone is either a democrat or a republican, liberal or conservative. It is a trauma that is rapidly diving the country along ideological and political lines. It is, therefore, a matter that needs critical solutions in a bid to create a conducive environment for all the citizens. According to Pietro, (2005), America is becoming dangerously polarized. People are divided along the political lines, cultural, racial, ideologies, and parties. There exist great ideological conflicts between the democrats and the republicans. The research paper is set to demystify the factors behind the current political polarization in the USA. Besides, it is also aimed at finding out the possible remedies for the probe.
Causes of political polarization in the USA
One of the identified objects of the political divide in America is the growing religious diversity. There is an increase in the secularization as more people are becoming more secular than becoming religious. The result has caused a conflict between the seculars and the Christians who are identified as dominating most of the political positions (Nivola, 2005). The seculars are opposed to the doctrines and the teachings of the Christians while at the same time the Christians are also not comfortable with some of the social values like gays practice by the seculars. As a consequence, it is reflected in the political arena because Christians dominate most of the positions. Besides, there is also a difference within the Christians themselves as some are Democrats while some are Republicans.
It is indicated that in America, people like staying in the neighborhoods considering their identities. Those of the same political interests stay together thus widening the gap between them. The geographical setting makes the political animosity to increase more than expected.
Explicitly, the American leaders have not been capable of uniting their followers. The two protagonist parties have become so porous since other interested groups can now influence them. The interested groups have therefore instituted their policies and aims that are not for the moral interest of the citizens. As a consequence, the elected, members do not have the audacity of driving the better policies that are for the benefit of the public. Therefore, it becomes so possible for the conflicting political parties always to promote the divisive policies of the interested groups. As a result, the citizens also tend to align themselves with the policies of the parties.
According to Doherty, (2014), the increasing number of the republicans and the democrats is posing a threat of harmful ideologies as both parties are holding negative views against each other. The electorates hold negative opinions against each to an extent people prefer living depending on their political identities. Polarization has been identified in the personal lives of the citizens concerning their views on different policies and issues. Also, the increased political greed for power has heightened the level of division because most of the parties are using their unethical procedures to seek for the political power. The republicans and the democrats have been battling to the different offices with some of the policies that are not ethical but just meant for accessing power. Due to the action, the electorates have taken the side as they try always to support their distinct parties even though the policies might be wrong.
Furthermore, the historical circumstances have also been identified as a possible cause of political polarization. In American history, there has been an endemic animosity since long. There has always been the war between the slave dealers and the abolitionists, the grief between the industrial workers and the agrarian masters. As a result of the social class. The political ideologies emerged. So there are still the painful political memories from the past occurrences. Any occurrence of a political exploration is therefore always aligned with the historical contexts.
As already stated, America was polarized before during the occurrence of agrarian revolution and world wars. It is clear that the existence of these divisions have encroached up to date when it has now heightened (Doherty, 2014). The political division has therefore been identified as increasing because of the heat created by the two dominant parties. That is the republic and the democrat parties. Their interest and greed for power have turned their policies into animosity and unfair competition. The increased competition has been dividing the citizens and thus proving a threat for national integration since the electorates do vote when taking sides.
Critically, when the causes are analyzed, some reasons are consistent in all the listed articles. As indicated in all the articles, one of the causes of political polarization includes; distinct political parties, the religious disparity, the dominance of the primaries and the stiff and heightened competition between the parties (Nivola, 2005). Besides the influence of the media, and the participation of the interested groups have also been identified as one of the factors that are consistent across all the articles. They are, therefore, one of the most influential factors for the increased polarization in America.
Consequences of polarization
There exist several effects of polarization since they are a lot that comes along as a result of the division within the Senate and the Congress. To start with, polarization is a stumbling block to legislative coalitions that can result in productive policy making (Blankenhorn, 2018). Since there exist different opinions and ideologies, it becomes tough for a policy to be made because the two parties cannot form a common legislative council but they continuously struggle for power. With the polarization, minimal chances are available for the partnership between the two parties in America. It, therefore, heightens the hatred and the difference between them. As a consequence, most of the policymakers are not successful because they are a lot of conflicts within the chambers.
Because of the absence of a coalition between the republic and the democrat parties, it becomes complicated for the state and the judicial arms to function appropriately. It is straightforward and possible if the parties are in for the same interest because they will be able to work faster and come up with effective policies needed for the functioning of the state and the judicial sectors. The arms of the government arecomplimentary, and thus the legislative body is significant if there are possibilities of forming coalitions within the Senate and the Congress in a bid to come up with active and working policies of running the nation (Doherty, 2014). In most cases, therefore, it proves very hard for the president to make some changes because he or she aligns with one of the parties. In most cases, with the existences of the differences in the legislative body, it gives the other bodies like the judiciary the audacity of making decisions according to their wish which is a dangerous aspect. Moreover, it has also been identified that polarization proves to be a threat to social and economic problems.
Solutions to polarization
As indicated in the articles, there is a need for fair representation act. It is even good that it had been proposed. The action is essential in making sure that there are little conflicts between the parties. It will help reduce the label at which a single party might dominate most of the positions thus leading to increased animosity among the members (Drutman, 2017). The fair representation will be useful in managing and having control over the influences posed by the parties. Similarly, there is a need for the adoption of public financing of elections to avert the impact from the interested groups.it was mentioned that the most troubling cause of polarization is the influence and interferences that are posed by the interest groups. Furthermore, a non-partisan redistricting body to be instituted with the role of holding the members accountable to discharge their duties to the citizens instead of concentrating on the party issues. Besides, there is also a need to develop non-partisan voting rules to avoid the case of rigging and improper representation. They should copy the case studies of California and Nebraska.in these places; they are established automatic voter registration that is more effective and not bias. Among the mentioned solutions the best among the rest is the issue of adopting public financing to scare away the interest groups.
Conclusion
In precision, polarization has been identified as a significant threat to most of the development in America. Most of the citizens are concerned that the country is becoming more divided. From the articles, some main causes have been identified. Some of the major ones include; rival ideologies between the two parties, religious diversities, media influence, and the partisan elections among others. Besides, from the articles too, there are also some solutions that have been proposed like the adoption of the fair representation act, public financing of elections.
References
Berman, R. (2016). What’s the Answer to Political Polarization in the US?. The Atlantic, 8. Retrieved from: https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2016/03/whats-the-answer-to-political-polarization/470163/
Blankenhorn, D. (2018). The Top 14 Causes of Political Polarization. Retrieved from The American interest:https://www.the-american-interest.com/2018/05/16/the-top-14-causes-of-political-polarization/
Doherty, C. (2014). Seven things to know about polarization in America. Pew Research Center. Retrieved from: http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2014/06/12/7-things-to-know-about-polarization-in-america/
Drutman, L. (2017). We need new ideas to reduce partisan polarization. 1-10. Social Change, Realignment, and Political Polarization. Westview Press. Retrieved from: https://www.vox.com/polyarchy/2017/6/27/15880328/how-to-reduce-partisan-polarization.
Nivola, P. S. (2005). Thinking about political polarization. Brookings Institution. Retrieved from: https://www.brookings.edu/research/thinking-about-political-polarization/