Ideological Affective Polarization & Changing Structure of Ideology in the U.S.

• In Event: Partisanship, Polarization, and Ideology in the U.S.

Abstract

Much scholarly attention has focused on partisan affective polarization, a growing animosity between Democrats and Republicans in the mass public. Less notice has been given to affective polarization among the ideological teams, liberals and conservatives. However, we suggest that given ideology’s particular prowess in U.S. politics, ideological affective polarization has important and distinct consequences. We begin by offering evidence that ideological affective polarization both exists and has increased sharply in recent years. We theorize that this shift alters the way individuals come to form attachments to ideological teams, as well as the structure and tenor of ideology in the United States.

Authors

• Kathleen Gruschow

• K. Elizabeth Coggins, Colorado College