"Polarization Like Never Before: Increasing Polarization Between the Democratic and Republican Parties in the United States" by Sydney Robinson

Partisan polarization in the United States not only deepens divisions within American society but also incites growing polarization in other nation-states.

The Plurality system in the United States, involving the Republican and Democratic parties, has seen increasing partisan polarization within the past few decades. This polarization has led the state to become extremely divided on topics ranging from economics to racism. While there has always been partisan polarization between the Republican and Democratic parties in the United States, citizens have never experienced it to this extent. Beginning in the Obama administration, partisan polarization has been increasing within the US. President Barack Obama was the first African American male ever to be elected president of the United States. While this was celebrated by many, other individuals had their concerns, specifically regarding his birth certificate. Many could argue that these questions were racially based, and to no surprise, during Obama’s administration, partisan polarization was at its highest in over 60 years. In 2011, a survey went out conducting responses from Republicans and Democrats, regarding Obama’s performance as President. Approximately 80% of Democrats were content with Obama’s action as president, whereas only 12% of Republicans were content; an overall 68-point difference between the two. Although the global recession occurred during Obama’s tenure, causing him difficulties both politically and economically, polarization peaked during his presidency and has continued into the Trump administration and through to the present day.

Unfortunately, polarization did not decrease when Trump entered in to office, if anything he fueled greater division by using hate and discrimination to fuel his campaign. Trump played on racial stereotypes during his campaign, essentially fueling fear and hatred of the perceived 'other' in an effort to gain support.

Trump referred to Mexican immigrants as “rapists” while also saying that they bring crime and illegal drugs to the US. In addition, Trump proposed a ban on all Muslim people from entering the US. Overall, Trump has made hundreds of racist, xenophobic, sexist, and other remarks during his campaign and his time in office. Trump’s campaign managed to create hatred from both sides of the political spectrum. On the one hand, left-leaning Democrats were furious with the comments being made, and the racial divide that Trump was opening back up in the United States. Right-wing Republicans, on the other hand, used racialized fear to mask economic fear. As a result, faults and flaws in the United States have been blamed on minority groups, with Trump supporting this claim. This increased partisan polarization in the United States has continued to grow into the present day. We see partisan polarization especially growing between the alt-right and the Democrats. With the rise of conspiracy theories and the presence of QAnon, both sides have spread misinformation and hatred. The Republican and Democratic parties are drifting to ideological extremes, widening the gap between the right and left.

As a hegemonic actor in world politics, the US has significant influence over the rest of the world socially, economically, and politically. A spotlight is put on the US and its affairs, and the world follows them intensely for their own interests. With increasing partisan polarization in the United States, there has also been increasing polarization in other nation-states. Countries such as Canada, the U.K., and Italy are experiencing growing polarization. In Canada, this is visible with the recent emergence of the People’s Party of Canada basing its platform on healthcare cuts, eliminating funding for multiculturalism programs, limiting immigration, and pushing for the right of unbridled free speech. While not to the same extent as in the United States, Canada has seen increasing partisan polarization between the emergence of left-leaning and right-wing parties. The increasing polarization and ideological divide in Canada, especially with the PPC, is causing Canadians to feel negatively toward other parties. Moreover, growing polarization in Canadian politics seems to suggest Canada is following a similar trajectory as the United States.

Although polarization is a natural thing between political parties, extreme partisan polarization is dangerous to society, citizens, and democracy. The use of hatred to fuel political campaigns, fake news, focusing on issues other than policy issues, and pushing for radical changes within the government that aren't democratic as a result of polarization is what is tearing the United States and the rest of the world apart. This poses a direct threat to democracy and its constituents, as politics are becoming a game of who can play it dirtier and who can generate the most supporters through hate, not through who could best represent citizens and their needs.

Partisan polarization is a normal thing. Without differences between parties, there would be no political debate in terms of who is holding office. However, partisan polarization to this level is not normal, nor should it be normalized. Growing partisan polarization has negative effects on all aspects of society. It limits parties' abilities to find a middle ground on agreements, fuels citizens with hatred of the other party, increases polarization within other countries, and lastly, it threatens democracy. Partisan polarization must return to its prior levels, allowing for parties to work together for the well-being and desires of their citizens in a healthy democracy.