Fact Check: Political polarization has increased in the United States over the past two decades.

Fact Check: "Political polarization has increased in the United States over the past two decades."

What We Know

Political polarization in the United States has indeed increased significantly over the past two decades. Research indicates that both ideological and affective polarization have intensified during this period. A study conducted by Jesse Shapiro and colleagues at Brown University found that affective polarization—where individuals feel more negatively toward opposing political parties—has grown more dramatically in the U.S. than in other democracies. For instance, between 1978 and 2016, the average American's positive feelings toward their own party compared to the opposing party increased by nearly 19 points, indicating a rise in partisan animosity (Brown University).

Additionally, a comprehensive analysis by Baldassarri and Gelman covering data from 1972 to 2004 shows a notable increase in issue partisanship, where individuals' political preferences align more closely with their party identification (Partisans without Constraint). The Pew Research Center has also documented a growing divide in political attitudes and behaviors, highlighting that the ideological distance between Democrats and Republicans has widened significantly over the years (Pew Research Center).

Analysis

The evidence supporting the claim of increased political polarization is robust and comes from multiple credible sources. The study by Shapiro et al. is particularly noteworthy as it provides a comparative analysis across several democracies, demonstrating that the U.S. is experiencing a unique and rapid increase in polarization compared to other countries (Brown University). This suggests that the phenomenon is not merely a global trend but has specific characteristics in the American context.

Baldassarri and Gelman's research adds depth by examining the correlation between issue attitudes and party identification over several decades. Their findings indicate that while public opinion on many issues has remained stable, the alignment of these opinions with party affiliation has become more pronounced, suggesting a sorting effect where individuals increasingly identify with parties that reflect their ideological beliefs (Partisans without Constraint).

Moreover, the Pew Research Center's extensive polling data corroborates these findings, showing that partisan identities have become more entrenched, leading to increased polarization in political behavior and public discourse (Pew Research Center).

While some scholars argue that public opinion has not polarized significantly on a broad range of issues, the evidence of increased partisanship and affective polarization suggests that the intensity of political identities has indeed escalated, leading to a more polarized political landscape (Wikipedia).

Conclusion

Verdict: True
The claim that political polarization has increased in the United States over the past two decades is supported by substantial evidence from multiple reputable studies. The increase in both ideological and affective polarization, as well as the alignment of political preferences with party identification, indicates a significant shift in the political landscape. This polarization is not only evident in individual attitudes but also in the broader political discourse and behavior of American citizens.

Sources

1. Partisans without Constraint: Political Polarization and ...
2. U.S. is polarizing faster than other democracies, study finds
3. Affective Polarization in the American Public
4. Political polarization in the United States - Wikipedia
5. Political Polarization in the American Public - Pew Research Center
6. The polarization in today's Congress has roots that go back decades ...