American Government / Unit 6 Gov 265 short lesson, about 20 seconds
Partisan Polarization
Captions available
The idea
Partisan polarization is the widening ideological distance and declining overlap between the two major parties.
In practice
Fewer conservative Democrats and liberal Republicans hold office than in the mid-twentieth century.
Where people slip
How far polarization extends to ordinary voters is disputed; the elite-level trend is well documented.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
Builds on
Unlocks
- Nothing yet depends on this.
Something wrong in this lesson? Flag it · Sources for American Government