Partisan Polarization in the United States of America: The Connection Between Partisan Polarization and Racial Attitudes
Taylor L. Kreuscher
University of Minnesota- Twin Cities
POL 3323- Political Tolerance in the United States
Spring 2018 Final Research Proposal
May 8, 2018
Partisan Polarization in the United States of America: The Connection Between Partisan Polarization and Racial Attitudes Partisan polarization is deeply engrained into American politics as it has a substantial effect not only in politics but also in American culture and society. Partisan polarization in the United States of America is generally split between the two major political parties, The Republican Party and The Democratic Party, and two corresponding
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I will also cover how, the ways-in-which, the benefits and disadvantages of polarization. In the second section, I will discuss racism and racial attitudes in the United States and the party affiliations tied to these ideologies. I will also discuss how the election of President Barack H. Obama in 2008 racialized certain aspect of politics that has not been seen before and what that means for America going forward. In the third section, I plan to converge polarization and racial attitudes to conduct research that finds a connection and relation between these two topics. Finally, using expected results from the research, I will explain the possible implications this can have for the United States. I will also discuss how current political events as of 2018 can be attributed and/or explained by the relationship of partisan political polarization and racial …show more content…
Polarization is beneficial as individuals can find support and power using their political parties to create community. Polarization has given more power to protests and certain political issues if a party affiliates themselves with that issue. Polarization has also created a much more hostile and aggressive political atmosphere. Polarization has created a mentality of “winning” amongst legislators which has inhibited actual progress needed. This ethnocentric mentality has instituted a “me versus them” standpoint which functions as a blockade when cooperation is needed amongst legislators to pass bills and policy (Sides & Hopkins, 12-14). Although partisan polarization has allowed large communities to form via social issues and social media, it has created a political environment that is hostile and not focused on representation of the people rather representation of political