Political Polarization in American Politics

This is a superb volume of thoughtful and wide-ranging essays on polarization by some of the best scholars in the political science field. If you want to learn about the causes, effects, and consequences of polarization in American politics and society, this should be your go-to source. * Jeffery A. Jenkins, Professor and Director of Graduate Studies, Woodrow Wilson Department of Politics, University of Virginia, USA *
This collection of short essays is easily the broadest and most accessible treatment of polarization available. Drawing on the work of dozens of distinguished scholars, this collection covers whether we are polarized at mass and elite levels, why we are polarized, and what might be done about it. Dispensing with technical jargon, the authors make their cases briefly and succinctly without sacrificing the complexity of the issue. This would be an excellent volume to use for stimulating discussion in an undergraduate class on public opinion and American politics. * Diana C. Mutz, Samuel A. Stouffer Professor of Political Science and Communication, University of Pennsylvania, USA *
Hopkins and Sides have assembled an outstanding collection of concise and accessible essays that lay out the latest research on the facts, origins, and potential solutions regarding polarization in American politics. This book is an excellent resource for students, teachers, and anyone interested in understanding polarization from the country’s leading experts. * Eleanor Neff Powell, Assistant Professor, University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA *
Fans of the Monkey Cage will be indebted to Daniel Hopkins and John Sides for this timely volume of essays about the extent, origins and causes of polarization between Democrats and Republicans in contemporary American politics. The short, accessible pieces by some of the nation's most distinguished scholars will prove invaluable to journalists and professors looking for concise, trenchant materials about America's troubled party system. Students, especially, will benefit from seeing how skillful empirical analysis illuminates or contradicts widely held beliefs about partisan politics. * Linda Fowler, Professor of Government, Darmouth College, USA *