The term ‘polarization’ has dominated criticism of American politics for more than a decade. Republicans and Democrats now find themselves far apart on policy, distinct in their values and cultures, and even differing in their lifestyle and consumer habits. Commentators talk about the ‘disappearing centre’ and the difficulty of locating a ‘middle ground’ on policy issues.
In this context, polarization is portrayed as a blight on civic life and an obstacle to passing important bills in Congress. Journalists reporting the 2024 US presidential election race liberally deploy the term, treating polarization as one of the defining characteristics of the contest and as a problem to be dissected, understood and ultimately solved.
Polarization is not the biggest threat to American democracy
The term is commonly used but fails to describe the hostility between many Republicans and Democrats ahead of the presidential election. Instead, American politics faces a deeper crisis, writes Julia Azari.
