Date of Award
4-2021
Document Type
Thesis
Department
Political Science
First Advisor
Patrick Donnay
Abstract
The purpose of this paper is to identify the issue of political polarization as it relates not only to American politics, but also to see how the issues in political polarization that exist in the United States are also experienced in other democracies around the world. The paper takes a look at what some of the different theories are about where polarization originates, who some of the leading scholars are in the debate over polarization, what institutional mechanisms contribute to the problem of polarization, and then finally what polarization looks like elsewhere in the world.
When it comes to the current American debate on how polarization originates there are three distinctive camps on the idea. One argues that polarization is organic, meaning that it derives from the masses and is represented proportionally at the elite level of politics. Another argues that polarization is illusory, and that the electorate is sorted ideologically by political elites, institutional mechanisms, and the media. The third camp argues that the origins of polarization are more complex than simply either organic or illusory. The findings of this study indicate that the third camp is better suited for addressing the issue of polarization in a historical sense.
Another finding from this study is that the issue of political polarization in the United States is not unique to the global stage. Democracies around the world are suffering from a new era of polarizing politics that all have separate origins but similar patterns. Overall, a revitalization of democratic institutions with regard to social justice, electorate systems, representation, campaign finance, and proportional representation is a true and important challenge for the future of democracy.
Recommended Citation
Biocic, Tim, "Polarization: A 21st Century Challenge to Global Democracy" (2021). Political Science Theses and Capstones. 27.
https://pines.bemidjistate.edu/capstone-polisci/27
Included in
American Politics Commons, Comparative Politics Commons, Global Studies Commons, International Relations Commons, Political History Commons, Political Theory Commons, Politics and Social Change Commons
