How Politics Has Divided the Nation
How Politics Has Divided the Nation
By Lauryn Green
Q News
Politics is a controversial topic that many people choose to avoid, especially with those who do not
share their views.
Political discussions often become divisive when diverse ideologies clash, and there is an inability
to establish a common ground. The history of political polarization in America dates back to the
1990s, when hostility emerged among the two major parties, which in turn influenced how average
citizens related to people of different political affiliations.
How did the 1994 Midterm Elections cause hyper-partisanship?
Prior to the 1994 U.S. Midterm Elections, Democrats had dominated the U.S. House of
Representatives and Senate for decades. In an attempt to help Republicans regain Congressional
power, Newt Gingrich, who is the former speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, proposed the
Contract with America which entailed lowering taxes, less government involvement, etc.
The initiation of the Contract of America attracted a high voter turnout during the 1994 Midterm
Elections, helping Republicans secure control of both Congressional Chambers. Professor Mark
Setzler, a Political Science professor at High Point University, believes the outcome of this election
caused political division at the elite level.
"Polarization really starts in the 1990s," he said. "It used to be that Congress was kind of in the
center, and from the 1990s forward, or really from the 1994 Republican Revolution, the Senate
switched back and forth, the House switched back and forth, and really both sides have been in the 'let's
not let the other side govern.' "
In the years succeeding the 1994 Midterm Elections, Democrats and Republicans often feuded over
which policies were either beneficial or detrimental to the country, which consequently made it
difficult to pass legislation. Party affiliation also became a major determinant in how many Americans
voted from this point forward, as people were less receptive to considering both sides.
Why aren't people open to hearing both sides?
Professor John Graeber, an Assistant Professor of Political Science at HPU, said, "I think there's
on some sort of political, psychological level, there's a desire for people to want to feel right and want
to feel like they're on the right side of things. Confronting facts or confronting information that
disrupts a certain world view or disrupts a way of thinking creates some sort of psychological tension
or stress in people. And thus, people are more willing to listen to things that don't necessarily disrupt
or undermine or shatter views that they already currently hold."
The increase in geographic division throughout the nation in recent years further substantiates the
notion that Americans prefer to reside in communities with people who share their political beliefs. By
surrounding themselves with other like-minded individuals, people become more complacent in their
ideologies and are less open-minded to opposing viewpoints.
Professor Alixandria Yanus, an Associate Professor of Political Science at HPU, agrees that a lack
of interaction with people of diverse political views makes it complicated to relate with one another .
"Typically, political psychologists say that contact builds trust," she said. "But, if there is little
contact, it is hard to build trust."
What steps can we take to heal and unite as a nation?
"A willingness to do so," said HPU sophomore, Rae Johnson. "Any advice is worthless unless
someone chooses to make a change, or in this case, the two parties. Both are at fault for playing the
blame game and not truly listening."
Many people agree that one of the most effective mechanisms for Americans overcome their
political differences is through dialogue. This includes allowing diverse opinions and ideas to flow and
making an intentional effort to understand where people from opposite ends of the political spectrum
are coming from.
"I really think it's sitting down in a classroom with people who might share differences of opinion,
sitting down to coffee with people who have differences of opinion, sharing a meal with people who
have differences of opinion," said Graeber. "At an individual level, try to understand that different sides
of the political debate, largely might very well want similar things but have very distinct disagreements
about the best way to go about getting those things.
Open conversations are beneficial in helping Americans learn to see people for who they are and
how they perceive the world.
 |
| Above is a timeline of political polarization in America |
https://prospect.org/power/hardened-divide-american-politics/
Comments
Post a Comment