POL 324 Lecture 15: Polarization
5 Feb 2019
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Polarization is the distance between avg dem and rep. Polarization: among politicians difference extreme other party can accomplish more on the political spectrum, then a leader will have the most power and control. People who are moderate tend to come from competitive districts. If don"t need to fight for median voters, then no need to appeal to them. Senate will tend to appeal to other side a bit more. Rules have given more power to congressional leaders. A leader will have the most power when a party is ideologically unified, and therefore. Some evidence that average dems and reps are more extreme and hence have a greater. Using scores to track polarization in congress over time. Highest difference in 2016 than ever in history. Reason 1: decline in competition for house seats. Lack of competition means no need to fight for median voter, so candidate can be more.
