Hajoon “HJ” Yun
Dr. Parrish
ISM II
2 Oct 25
Continuing on from the previous assessment, this paper will dig deeper into the data and statistics behind the trends in polarization and political violence. In the previous paper, it was established that political violence seems to transcend the political spectrum. Affective polarization, is the growing disdain for a member of the opposing political party/belief. Whereas political violence seems to be more common on the right, affective polarization seems to be symmetrical across the political spectrum (Kleinfeld). It is worth mentioning that there is not a direct correlation between affective polarization and political violence. Instead, affective polarization directly contributes to a political environment in which politicians are able to inflame anger and tension towards minorities, women, and other elected officials (Kleinfeld). The most visible example of affective polarization leading to a more inflamed political environment is the dialogue that comes out of MAGA, Make America Great Again.
However, further analysis of the roots behind political violence establishes a newer hypothesis. Instead of correlating affective polarization and political violence, new research now indicates a direct correlation between a person’s aggressive tendencies and political violence. Many perpetrators of political violence also share many common traits such as: a lack of preparedness, poor self-control, and excessive impulsiveness (Kleinfeld). Most of the same people who are likely to commit acts of political violence, are likely to commit hate crimes, domestic violence, violent crimes, and road rage (Kleinfeld).
So what does the data present? The data shows the highest amount of unfavorability towards opposing political parties in modern history. As of 2018, 88% of Democrats, 84% of Moderate Democrats, and 56% of independents held an unfavorable view of the Republican Party (Kleinfeld). For the Democratic Party, 87% of Republicans, 81% of moderate republicans, and 52% of independents held an unfavorable view of the party (Kleinfeld). With the vast majority of people who subscribe to either political party showing a disdain for the opposing political party, it is safe to assume that political polarization is now the mainstream theme for all major parties.
In conclusion, the data is clear: political polarization is no longer a theory within the American system of government and politics. More alarming is the increase in inflammatory language and political violence that is becoming more and more normalized. Though many theories remain, the evidence points to politicians and their constant inflammatory rhetoric as a main cause behind the tensions in our political system, a cycle that must end.
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Works Cited
Kleinfeld, Rachel. “Polarization, Democracy, and Political Violence in the United States: What the Research Says.” Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, 5 Sept. 2023, carnegieendowment.org/research/2023/09/polarization-democracy-and-political-violence-in-the-united-states-what-the-research-says?lang=en.