| dc.description.abstract | The United States is currently navigating a landscape deeply scarred by political polarization, a phenomenon that has quintupled since 1930 (Cinolesi et al., 2022). This escalating division is not merely a divergence of political ideologies but has evolved into affective polarization - characterized by increasing animosity and distrust between major political parties, Democrats and Republicans. A crucial aspect of this divide is the demographic shift, with the Democratic Party becoming more diverse while the Republican Party maintains a predominantly white and conservative base. Political elites play a significant role in amplifying group identities, thereby activating stereotypes and reinforcing partisan understanding. This trend fuels the increasing affective polarization among the public (Wilke et al., 2022).The goal of our research is to explore and begin mapping the complex web of political polarization in the United States. Collectively, this information will help us create a series of concept maps and ultimately, identify levers for change. | en_US |
