Why are we so politically polarized?

People often ask, “Why are we so politically polarized?”

It’s an important question arising from genuine concern about the political system. 

Nevertheless, I’m not enthusiastic about it.    

Why?     

First, most people are unaware that there are several different types of polarization.  And politicians and the politically active are more likely to exhibit polarization, as opposed to the general population.   

Also, polarization means different things to different people.  To some, it signifies deep divisions in society.  To others, it’s a representation of the numerous issues that plague our political system and society in general.    

Polarization is thus a layered and expansive concept, hard to define yet symbolic of a wide range of political problems.  

Second, polarization is not necessarily harmful.  It can be helpful.  It depends on the type of polarization involved, its’ genesis, and the aspects of politics we are considering.    

Finally, in most cases, normal Americans are not polarized. 

So, the question demands some real effort and an artful reply.

Let me try.     

What is polarization?

Polarization is the divergence of political attitudes away from the center, toward the extremes.  In other words, less people in the middle and more on the end categories– a bimodal instead of a normal distribution.    

Opinion on abortion

Abortion is widely considered the prime example of how the nation can be split into two distinct and opposing factions – i.e., issue polarization.     

Gallup regularly asks Americans the following question,

“Do you think abortion should be legal under any circumstances, legal only under certain conditions or illegal in all circumstances?” 

A majority of Americans select the middle category – legal under certain circumstances (51%).  People express support for abortion rights but under certain conditions.  Typical conditions include mother’s health, fetal anomalies, pregnancy because of rape or incest, and the stage of pregnancy.

The other two categories represent definitive positions – no caveats or circumstances.  People are entirely committed, one way or the other – legal under any circumstances (34%), illegal in all circumstances (13%).    

Date	Legal under any	Legal under certain	Illegal in all	No opinion
May-2023	34%	51	13	2

The figure below illustrates the impressive stability of abortion centrism.  For nearly 50 years, a majority of Americans have supported abortion rights given certain circumstances. 

Yet recent shifts in the two definitive categories dominate headlines – even though percentages are now at about the same spot they were in 1975.  

The conflicts between the two groups simply overwhelm the much larger and important story of centrism.  And that leads people to think the public is polarized. 

And this is true across most contemporary issues .  Americans are typically issue centrists, preferring the middle ground to the rigidity of the extremes. But, we are constantly told the public is profoundly divided.  

Elites

It is, however, true that the political class has polarized – by political class I mean elected officials and those highly engaged in political affairs.  But that is an entirely different story. 

Bottom line

Abortion is a deeply personal and politically complex issue.   It involves difficult moral judgments and arouses considerable emotion.  It divides people, and that division creates tension and conflict.   

Nevertheless, there are three, not two relevant groups.   And the moderate group is the largest among them. 

Now back to the original question, “Why are we so politically polarized?”

First, ignore politicians.  It’s no secret they exaggerate.  And it’s not just the opposition party that stretches the truth and transforms a molehill into a mountain.  Politicians communicate with the intention of winning elections and staying in power, not educating the population.  

Second, and more disappointing, ignore the news media.  They earn a living by amplifying exaggerated claims.  Divisive politics energizes loyal supporters, captivates audiences, and ensures a profitable income stream for partisan media. 

In short, polarization is big business. 

Finally, revisit the data pattern presented here.  It offers a much needed dose of reality and can empower people to stand firm and question the status quo.   

For a comprehensive treatment of this topic see:   Culture War?  The Myth of a Polarized America

Also see Pew Center for similar data on abortion presented here