The rise of polarization here in the United States of America is a major cause of concern for the democratic norms which exist here in the US. Over the years, the United States has undergone a tremendous shift towards unequivocal partisanism. Significant political polarization leads to “gridlock and careening” according to Jennifer McCoy, Tahmina Rahman, and Murat Somer’s article. This truth which those three political researchers preach in their article is abundantly visible in the United States anytime the news is turned on, anytime you see a tweet from an elected official, regardless of their party, and even anytime you try to talk to a friend. Partisanship is widespread, and polarization came as the result. Polarization not only leads to democratic erosion and backsliding, but it also leads to political violence. Instances of political violence in the United States include the Capitol Riots that took place on January 6, 2020, following Donald Trump’s loss in the Presidential Election, plots to kidnap elected officials, antifa, and more.
In today’s society, the news and media plays a large role in people’s political alignment. There is less reliance on local news, and more dependence on national sources. Channels like CNN, MSNBC, and Fox news dominate the industry, leaving no possibility for entry into the world of independent news. It is no longer a nation following Walter Cronkite. It is now a nation pitted against itself. It is Tucker Carlson versus Anderson Cooper. The news sources in the United States unfortunately act more as echochambers than anything else. All things which they report on have a political twist blaming the other side of the aisle for misfortunes, and praising their party for successes.
Ehchochambers are a dual edged blade. For example, the viewers of Fox News are given information that has been twisted in order to fit their ideology, which deepens their belief and amplifies their voice. The outcry of support for a candidate such as Donald Trump as a result enables and encourages the behaviors we often see on display from the former President.
The Capitol Riots which took place on January 6, 2020 is the epitome of political polarization, and democratic backsliding. This is a most major example of putting a candidate over your country, an unfortunate phenomenon which will perpetuate in coming years, and likely worsen. Radical supporters of particular candidates are willing to commit crimes, including treason, in their attempt to display their discontent with democracy. On January 6, Donald Trump uttered the words, “ Fight like hell. And if you don’t fight like hell, you’re not going to have a country anymore.” Following that call to action 2,000 Trump supporters violently marched on the Capitol. This act is completely unprecedented in American history. Although there have been marches on the Capitol, never has there been one in an attempt to overturn an election. The participants were happy to claim responsibility, viewing themselves as martyrs for Donald Trump.
Polarization does not solely affect the voters. Politicians and the politically elite are influenced massively, and thus institutional breakdowns of democratic norms occur. In Washington, congress is passing fewer bills and reforms. On a yearly basis the number seems to continue to drop. In the 117th Congress (present day) has enacted 213 bills, compared to past congresses, this is a pathetic number. The inability toarrive at bipartisan consensus is continually growing into a larger problem each year.
Beyond the legislative, the executive branch is also affects the cataclysmic polarization facing the United States today. The President, is one of the largest drivers of polarization. Due to the President holding the largest power of any single individual in the United States, they are able to unilaterally pass legislation without congressional approval via executive orders. The executive orders are often extreme. Take Executive Order 13769, better known as the “Muslim Travel Ban” executed by Donald Trump. This would have never passed in bipartisan congress. Opposite to congress passing fewer laws, the number of Presidential Executive Orders has been steadily rising, further displaying both the gridlock in congress and executive aggrandizement resulting from polarization.
There are several ways to side step the system of checks and balances. With polarization worsening a worrisome idea is that of executive aggrandizement. Executive aggrandizement is when the executive branch, the President, eliminates checks on their power. Examples of this are the increased number of executive orders and the threat of court-packing.
Polarization is the driving factor behind democratic erosion and backsliding in the US. There are movements attempting to stop polarization. Unite America is a movement attempting to put the interest of the United States in the minds of voters instead of their party’s interests. However, drivers of polarization will continue to push the separation of parties.
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This was a great insight into the rising polarization in the United States. The remarks about echo chambers specifically caught my eye as significant. Unfortunately, the media in the United States has become increasingly polarized in the past 2 decades, mainly out of a goal to drive up viewership and support for their networks. Unfortunately, this also has created a steep partisan divide in the United States that is harmful to democracy. Independent News Organizations, such as AP and NPR tend to get minimal coverage in the major airwaves, and this is partly due to their lack of bombshell claims or animated reactions to pieces of news. As a matter of fact, these networks are the most productive modes of media in the United States as they often fail to take a side, and rather present the information as it comes, without distortion and with the opportunity for the consumer of the media to form their own opinions.
In addition, the remarks about the attack on the United States Capitol Building on January 6th 2021 are significant in understanding the grasp of populism in this country, or any country for that matter. The fact of the matter is, the grasp of Trump’s power grew exponentially from when he was a candidate in 2015, to the influence he had to incite an insurrection on the Capitol building in 2021. Make no mistake, this power comes as a result of populism, and shows a significant backsliding in democracy. To me, populism played a much larger role in the democratic backsliding than polarization, as populism was the precursor of the polarization that has ensued over the past 7 years. Regardless, this blog represents many relevant factors into the backsliding of the United States of America.
I think your focus on polarization in America is great. Your mention of echo chambers reminded me of how powerful group ideology can manipulate public opinion. The echo chambers expose how vulnerable humans are for inheritly seeking to belong to a group. I think you could even add to your argument how the polarization has led to each party delegitimizing the other which is causing more backsliding in the US. This wave of polarization also seems to be even more dangerous since there is a focus on race.
I think this is a really good look at the effect polarization has had on politics in the US. Not only do media outlets act as echo chambers for themselves and their viewers, but the decrease in productivity in Congress has a profound effect on the day-to-day lives of Americans. I thought it was really interesting you brought up the number of bills congress has enacted compared to the number of executive orders the president has approved. More than anything, I think this illustrates your point that polarization in politics has led to a decline in cross-the-aisle cooperation and a necessity for the president to act as a singular power, a dangerous precedent to set for the future.
Polarization in America is now more than ever and at the forefront in the battle to save democracy. I really enjoyed this perspective on the issue. Another interesting effect of polarization is among the states and one-party rule. Like this blog post articulates, the national level is bringing the extreme left and right to a head on collision in the government. This can be seen throughout all branches of the federal government. But, on a state level, polarization is weakening bipartisanship. Instead of bipartisan state legislatures and governorships, states are turning to one-party rule due to the rise of polarization of national politics. This is best seen in voter suppression laws being enacted in many states arising from the national rhetoric of the 2020 election being stolen. The polarization of that election has seen democracy on the state level, and not only the national level, backslide. I think America must return to the want and need for bipartisanship. Only then can legislation be passed more efficiently and effectively. Politics cannot be a game of blaming others for one’s faults.