"Generations of political scientists argue that American politics needs strong, cohesive parties to function effectively. Yet more recently, many worry that such vigorous partisan sentiments--most notably, the rising hostility between the parties--can damage democracy, as partisans willingly un...

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Bibliographische Detailangaben

Hauptverfasser:	Druckman, James N. 1971- (VerfasserIn), Klar, Samara (VerfasserIn), Krupnikov, Yanna ca. 20./21. Jh (VerfasserIn), Levendusky, Matthew 1979- (VerfasserIn), Ryan, John Barry 1979- (VerfasserIn)
Format:	Buch
Sprache:	English
Veröffentlicht:	Chicago, IL ; London The University of Chicago Press 2024
Schriftenreihe:	Chicago studies in American politics
Schlagworte:	Politik Radikalisierung USA Polarization (Social sciences) / United States Political culture / United States United States / Politics and government / 2017-2021 Polarisation collective / États-Unis États-Unis / Politique et gouvernement / 2017-2021 POLITICAL SCIENCE / Political Ideologies / Conservatism & Liberalism POLITICAL SCIENCE / Political Ideologies / Democracy
Zusammenfassung:	"Generations of political scientists argue that American politics needs strong, cohesive parties to function effectively. Yet more recently, many worry that such vigorous partisan sentiments--most notably, the rising hostility between the parties--can damage democracy, as partisans willingly undermine the system if it means stopping their disliked opponents. Is this the case? This book offers a nuanced evaluation of when and how partisan animosity matters in today's highly charged--but fluid--political environment, using data from two of the most tumultuous years in recent American history, 2019 to 2021. The authors show that partisan animus powerfully shapes political behaviors, but its effects are conditional, not constant. They develop a theory of the conditions that make partisan animosity most salient, and show that, in the absence of these, other thought processes take over. While partisan animosity makes democratic functioning more difficult (e.g., by politicizing seemingly non-political issues, undermining compromise), it does not inevitably lead to democratic erosion (e.g., the rejection of foundational democratic norms or the endorsement of violence). Partisan hostility has degraded American democracy, but it does not in itself represent an existential threat. The future of democracy depends on how politicians respond to the rise of animosity"-- "An unflinching examination of the effects and boundaries of partisan animosity. For generations, experts argued that American politics needed cohesive parties to function effectively. Now many fear that strong partisan views, particularly hostility to the opposing party, are damaging democracy. Is partisanship as dangerous as we fear it is? To provide an answer, this book offers a nuanced evaluation of when and how partisan animosity matters in today's highly charged, dynamic political environment, drawing on panel data from some of the most tumultuous years in recent American history, 2019 through 2021. The authors show that partisanship powerfully shapes political behaviors, but its effects are conditional, not constant. Instead, it is most powerful when politicians send clear signals and when an issue is unlikely to bring direct personal consequences. In the absence of these conditions, other factors often dominate decision-making. The authors argue that while partisan hostility has degraded US politics--for example, politicizing previously non-political issues and undermining compromise--it is not in itself an existential threat. As their research shows, the future of American democracy depends on how politicians, more than ordinary voters, behave"--
Beschreibung:	264 pages illustrations 24 cm
ISBN:	9780226833675 9780226833651