Polarization in the contemporary United States

Academic Paper from the year 2020 in the subject Politics - International Politics - Region: USA, grade: A, Kenyatta University, language: English, abstract: What is the main cause of polarization in the contemporary United States and what, if anything can be done to fix it?

Party activists play a leading role in polarization of parties along several issue dimensions in modern American politics. In this essay, I argue that interest groups, lobbyists and other activists have become integral elements of American political parties. These activists work within party structures to advance their policy goals through selection of candidates for various positions such as the Supreme Court or lobbying elected party officials to adopt certain positions. Therefore, unlike conventional party structures, party activism is linked to the increase in polarization in the contemporary American society.

Since the turn of the millennium, American political parties have become increasingly reinvigorated. Funding and staffing of party organizations has increased significantly. For instance, in 2012, the Democratic National Committee (DNC), Democratic Senate Campaign Committee (DSCC), and Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) raised $290.4 million, $145.9 million, and $183.8 million respectively compared to $52.8 million, $4.1 million, and $3.8 million, respectively raised in 1976 campaigns (all sums in 2012 dollars). Most of these funds come from individual and corporate donations. However, party activists play crucial role in making these parties attractive to donors thus influencing party positions.