Social Sciences and History / Unit 9 SSH 0822 short lesson, about 20 seconds
Divided Government, Sorting, and Polarization
Captions available
The idea
Divided government, a legislative house held by the executive's opponents, makes policy goals hard to reach. The parties have polarized over decades, shifting from moderate toward extremes, fighting more and more divided within. Possible causes: sorting, voters switching parties as parties shift, and better gerrymandering; neither suffices alone.
In practice
Bipartisanship: cooperation through compromise.
Where people slip
The anchor's judgment on consequences is its own.
Your place on the trail
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Unlocks
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