The Rise of Uncivil Agreement

Abstract

The debate over whether polarization is occurring in the mass public has been limited by a lack of definition and theory. This article contributes to both, arguing that polarization can be characterized as either behavioral polarization or issue position polarization, but that the two are not synonymous. One reason for the difference between the two types of polarization is that the partisan-ideological sorting that has occurred over the past few decades has contributed to behavioral polarization, but not as strongly to issue position polarization. The consequence of this is a new electorate that generally agrees on most issues but is nevertheless increasingly biased, active, and angry. An examination of American National Election Studies data from 1972 to 2004 finds strong support for these hypotheses.