Polarization : What Everyone Needs to Know®

The 2016 election of Donald J. Trump invoked a time for reflection about the state of American politics and its deep ideological, cultural, racial, regional, and economic divisions. But one aspect that the contemporary discussions often miss is that these fissures have been opening over several decades and are deeply rooted in the structure of American politics and society. In Polarization: What Everyone Needs to Know® Nolan McCarty takes readers through what scholars know and don't know about the origins, development, and implications of our rising political conflicts, delving into social, economic, and geographic determinants of polarization in the United States. While the current political climate seems to suggest that extreme views are becoming more popular, McCarty also argues that, contrary to popular belief, the 2016 election was a natural outgrowth of 40 years of polarized politics, rather than a significant break with the past. He evaluates arguments over which factors that have created this state of affairs, including gerrymandered legislative districts, partisan primary nomination systems, and our private campaign finance system. He also considers the potential of major reforms such as instating proportional representation or ranked choice voting to remedy extreme polarization. A concise overview of a complex and crucial topic in US politics, this book is for anyone wanting to understand how to repair the cracks in our system. The 2016 election of Donald J. Trump invoked a time for reflection about the state of American politics and its deep ideological, cultural, racial, regional, and economic divisions. But one aspect that the contemporary discussions often miss is that these fissures have been opening over several decades and are deeply rooted in the structure of American politics and society.In Polarization: What Everyone Needs to Know® Nolan McCarty takes readers through what scholars know and don't know about the origins, development, and implications of our rising political conflicts, delving into social, economic, and geographic determinants of polarization in the United States. While the current political climate seems to suggest that extreme views are becoming more popular, McCarty also argues that, contrary to popular belief, the 2016 election was a natural outgrowth of 40 years of polarized politics, rather than a significant break with the past. He evaluates arguments over which factors that have created this state of affairs, including gerrymandered legislative districts, partisan primary nomination systems, and our private campaign finance system. He also considers the potential of major reforms such as instating proportional representation or ranked choice voting to remedy extreme polarization. A concise overview of a complex and crucial topic in US politics, this book is for anyone wanting to understand how to repair the cracks in our system. The Weeks Following The Election And Inauguration Of Donald J. Trump Have Been A Time For Reflection About The State Of American Politics And Its Deep Ideological, Cultural, Racial, Regional, And Economic Divisions. But One Aspect That The Contemporary Discussions Often Miss Is That These Fissures Have Been Opening Over Several Decades And Are Deeply Rooted In The Structure Of American Politics And Society. Long Before The Historically Divisive Presidential Election Of 2016, The Polarization Of American Politics Has Been An Important Concern Of Scholars, Journalists, And Elected Officials. Unfortunately, There Have Been Few, If Any, Attempts To Synthesize These Debates In Ways That Are Accessible To The Educated General Public. Polarization: What Everyone Needs To Know. Machine Generated Contents Note: -- Preface -- 1. Introduction -- 2. What Is Political Polarization? -- 3. Are Partisan Elites Polarized? -- 4. Is The Public Polarized? -- 5. What Are The Causes Of Polarization? -- 6. How Does Electoral Law Affect Legislative Polarization? -- 7. How Have Other Changes In American Society Affected? -- 8. What Are The Consequences Of Polarization For Public Policy And Governance? -- 9. Is The Trump Presidency A New Normal Or More Of The Same? -- Bibliography. Nolan Mccarty. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. The 2016 election of Donald Trump invoked a time for reflection about the state of American politics and its deep ideological, cultural, racial, regional and economic divisions. But one aspect that the contemporary discussions often miss is that these fissures have been opening over several decades and are deeply rooted in the structure of American politics and society. Nolan McCarty's 'Polarization' is an accessible introduction to polarization in America Nolan McCarty's Polarization: What Everyone Needs to Know (R) is an accessible introduction to polarization in America. McCarty takes readers through what scholars know and don't know about the origins, development, and implications of our rising political conflicts, delving into social, economic, and geographic determinants of polarization in the United States.