Political Polarization Essay

Polarization is defined as “division into two sharply contrasting groups or sets of opinions or belief.” Political polarization is defined as “the difference in supporters’ political ideas on policy, issues, and candidates forming a gap between individuals and parties.” Americans tend to the lineup with the political party that closely relates to their personal values and beliefs. Americans have always struggled to decide on the right political course of action for the country, forming a divided on critical issues. Voters have different views on important political issues creating conflict and increasing the polarization. The primary cause of political polarization is difference between political parties but is also formed through race, gender,

and religion.
Over the last several decade's cultural changes have increased the effect of political polarization in the United States.

One of these cultural changes in society is the rise in racial and ethical diversity in politics. Since President Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act in 1964, there has been a shift in politics regarding race. On the day of the Civil Rights Act signing President Johnson said: “I think we just delivered the South to the Republican Party for a long time to come.” The signing of the Civil Rights Acts would forever change America and set off a chain reaction in the political parties. After the signing southern white conservatives left the Democratic party and joined the Republican party. Leaving behind the liberals and minority groups including African Americans and Hispanic. Racial diversity still heavily divides American society. Some may even consider the United States segregated and unequal in terms of racial voting. The minority groups such as African Americans and Latinos tend to lean toward the liberal party. While the major of the Republican party is white, wealthy, upper-class individuals. The Liberal party also has many minorities that struggle to receive education, job opportunities, and proper housing. Their difference in lifestyle creates the racial gap in political

polarization.
Race is not the only factor behind the rise in political polarization. Another key element has been the growing religious divide between the parties. The main religious disturbance is between the Protestants and Catholics in American politics. One of the first political religious divided was on the decision of Roe v. Wade many religions believed that abortion should be banned thus shifting religious voters to the right side of the spectrum. While non-religious individuals went to the left side of the spectrum. Some of the other major religious divides include same-sex marriage and gay rights. In Kentucky, Kim Davis a County Clerk would not license same-sex marriages claiming it was against her religion. This created an uprising across the United States deciding if she had the religious right to not issue same-sex marriages. Republican members announced their support for her claiming the First Amendment right of freedom of religion. Liberals were against saying it was her duty to issues marriage licenses to same-sex couples no matter her religious beliefs. There has always been a religious difference in politics and will forever be present.
Since the start of voting in America men hold a conservative stance on issues of foreign policy, racial diversity, and welfare more so than women. In the 1960s, the gap between the Republican and Democratic Party began to increase. As American began to realize there was a polarization in politics, voters slowly started to shift to the political party that corresponds to their values and beliefs. Pre-existing gender preferences caused women to identify with Liberals and men to become Republican. Some of the main reasons for the gender gap and preferences were the increase in female workforce, rise in the divorce rate, an increase in the feminist movement as women became less independent on men. Men have always held more conservative views then women who tend to side with the liberals. Because men consistently have a conservative stance on important issues leading to a divide between men and women. Huddy, Cassese, and Lizotte created the “economic autonomy hypothesis” which explained that women have become less independent on men which has lead them to contribute to the workforce and increasing women’s curiosity on political issues. Another reason for gender polarization would be the feminist movement. Feminist hold more modern Liberal views on social issues. From “Gendered Perceptions and Political Candidacies; A Central Barrier to Women’s Equality in Electoral Politics” by Richard Fox and Jennifer Lawless states the perceptions between men and women greatly differ on political matters. Women believe themselves to not have the traits to run for politic office were as men possess the confidence to believe they have these traits. Fox and Lawless explain why the gender gap in the United States exists in elections today. As of today, the United States Congress consists of 105 women making up approximately 19.6% of the 535 members of Congress. The Senate is comprised of 21 women and the House of Representatives have 84 women serving.
A major element in political polarization is the divided between the Democratic party and the Republican party.

To be fair, the political parties have always disliked each other. But in recent year the divided has become broader among political parties. The divided between political parties has become so strong that different party members do not even what to be in the same room as each other. A study conducted by the Pew Research Center shows that 63% of conservatives and 49% of liberals say most of their friends share the same political values as themselves. Opposite party members are no longer engaging with each other to share political views in a friendly manner, people want nothing to do with the opposite party. This is partly because people tend to drift toward people with the same values. From Polarized: Making Sense of a Divided American written by James Campbell, it states that “Nearly half of Americans (49%) were either liberal or conservative in the early 1970s. This increase to about 56% by 2012.” Americans today are identifying themselves more and more as either Liberals or Conservatives increasing the political polarization in the United

States.
When it comes to explaining political polarization in American the main factors are the difference in political parties, gender gap, religious beliefs, and racial diversity. Since the beginning of politics in the United States political polarization has been present, but in recent years polarization has increased. Minority groups and women have identified themselves as Liberals and Republicans are mainly white men increasing polarization in the United States. Since the 1960s American society has grown more polarized with each election and the country will continue to become more polarized until Americans can find common ground with each other.