Polarization is caused by the attitudes and dispositions of certain groups of citizens.
One theory offered for the reason of polarization is the decline of moderates in the U.S. Congress. In Danielle Thomsen’s article, she notes that party leaders are becoming increasingly more polarized than the average party member. Party leaders are responsible for “allocating committee assignments, setting the legislative agenda, and structuring debate on the floor” all of which are very important for setting the agenda. When they become more polarized, the party’s agenda follows in becoming more polarized. She also notes that the Republican party has moved farther from the median than the Democratic Party. Two theories are in conflict with each other …show more content…
The politicians are disconnected from their constituents, claiming extreme policies that people don 't stand by. Elites “evidenced by their self reported participation in the current campaign have become significantly more polarized” (La Raja 2013). She states that there is a mass-elite disconnect and politicians are saying whatever they want without considering the masses. The elite are the driving force behind polarization. Her top-down approach to polarization shows that the people who hold influential positions in the government and in politics are the people who are causing the polarization within the government. This, in turn, drives the masses to become polarized as well.
Another theory for polarization is the bottom-theory. It states that the masses are becoming increasingly polarized which causes the elites to become polarized to match the peoples wishes. Another author notes that the masses are driving polarization. They counter Fiorina idea that there is a disconnect. They believe that mass opinion has a huge influence over policy makers; policy makers will adjust and alter their policies because of the opinions of their …show more content…
I think the legislative branch is the most noticeable area of government that is affected by polarization. Polarization is also impacts the functions of the President. Currently we have a democratic president and republican congress. When the president wants to push a bill through Congress, that bill will most likely be rejected for the simple fact it was proposed by a Democrat and not a Republican. Now this polarization is starting to affect the court system. The Republicans do not what the president to elect a liberal candidate for the US Supreme Court, because that will mean the Supreme Court majority would lie on the liberal side of issues rather than the conservative side. These ideas connect more with the elite-driven polarization theory, mostly because the elites are the people involved in Congress, Congress being the ones that make these decisions affecting the court system and the president’s
One theory offered for the reason of polarization is the decline of moderates in the U.S. Congress. In Danielle Thomsen’s article, she notes that party leaders are becoming increasingly more polarized than the average party member. Party leaders are responsible for “allocating committee assignments, setting the legislative agenda, and structuring debate on the floor” all of which are very important for setting the agenda. When they become more polarized, the party’s agenda follows in becoming more polarized. She also notes that the Republican party has moved farther from the median than the Democratic Party. Two theories are in conflict with each other …show more content…
The politicians are disconnected from their constituents, claiming extreme policies that people don 't stand by. Elites “evidenced by their self reported participation in the current campaign have become significantly more polarized” (La Raja 2013). She states that there is a mass-elite disconnect and politicians are saying whatever they want without considering the masses. The elite are the driving force behind polarization. Her top-down approach to polarization shows that the people who hold influential positions in the government and in politics are the people who are causing the polarization within the government. This, in turn, drives the masses to become polarized as well.
Another theory for polarization is the bottom-theory. It states that the masses are becoming increasingly polarized which causes the elites to become polarized to match the peoples wishes. Another author notes that the masses are driving polarization. They counter Fiorina idea that there is a disconnect. They believe that mass opinion has a huge influence over policy makers; policy makers will adjust and alter their policies because of the opinions of their …show more content…
I think the legislative branch is the most noticeable area of government that is affected by polarization. Polarization is also impacts the functions of the President. Currently we have a democratic president and republican congress. When the president wants to push a bill through Congress, that bill will most likely be rejected for the simple fact it was proposed by a Democrat and not a Republican. Now this polarization is starting to affect the court system. The Republicans do not what the president to elect a liberal candidate for the US Supreme Court, because that will mean the Supreme Court majority would lie on the liberal side of issues rather than the conservative side. These ideas connect more with the elite-driven polarization theory, mostly because the elites are the people involved in Congress, Congress being the ones that make these decisions affecting the court system and the president’s