The United States, once seen as the epitome of democratic ideals, is now grappling with an identity crisis fuelled by political polarisation and institutional dysfunction. Why has it happened, what effect does it have on the wider world, and will the US manage to return to its status as role model? Emily Rowe, Winner of the 2024 CoBS Student CSR Article Competition at Monash Business School, explores.

Once donned the standard-bearer of democratic constitutions, the United States is now facing an identity crisis. Damned by a political landscape fraught with acrimonious discourse, many believe that America’s government institutions are spiralling into a state of dysfunction. As a result, a new wave of extremism has sparked unprecedented rates of political violence, with one in four Americans believing that violence may be justified in saving the country, according to a national opinion poll.

Not only does this call to question the credibility of democracy in the so called “land of the free” but echoes warning sirens across the developing world, that strives to model their political institutions on the American dream.

But who is to blame? And what does this mean for society as a whole? By delving into the topic of political polarisation through the lens of America’s political landscape, we carefully explore the potent inequities, and their nuanced societal implications, that have subsequently arisen as a result of democratic backsliding. As a microcosm for the world at large, an American case study facilitates a close examination of the root causes of this political mutation, and how it continues to attack the health of democracy across the globe.

So what is Political Polarisation? And why is it relevant?

Political polarisation can be best described as the divergence of political attitudes, beliefs, and positions between different groups within a society. In most two-party systems, like that of the United States, political polarisation embodies the ideological conflict between two partisan identities, and with attitudes of the electorate neatly divided along party lines, advocates may never truly speak for the ‘will of the people’.

This is witnessed across contemporary media discourse, with opposing camps asserting their view that present public policy decisions are an existential threat to their way of life. This pattern of ideological discord is leading to a sharp division between opposing political factions, with climbing rates of political violence and a deep distrust of government institutions threatening the legitimacy of governing bodies.

As emphasised in Thomas Carothers and Andrew O’Donohue’s ‘Democracies Divided’, “this isn’t just an American illness, it’s a global one”. In recent decades, polarisation has intensified globally, spreading across the likes of South America, Europe and India, penetrating national borders and causing mass disruption. Whilst in the United States polarisation manifests itself through a larger gap between the views of Republican and Democrat voters, European politicians have identified a significant divergence in voter opinion regarding fundamental issues like immigration and social welfare.

Consequently, partisan actors across the world are becoming increasingly radicalised, utilising social media to cleverly steer the views and opinions of many, not only capitalising on the impressionability of their electorate, but diminishing the socio-political freedoms essential to maintaining modern democracy.

A symptom of globalisation: An American case study

So why is this happening? And why now? Although it can be said that Republicans and Democrats are more divided today than at any point in the history of American politics, political polarisation is not a new phenomenon.

The modern world is laying witness to a resurgence of political disarray that dates back to the American Civil War. Although these sentiments receded rapidly with the implementation of the New Deal in the early 20^th Century, and the establishment of a Democratic coalition in the White House, the Civil Rights movement saw a realignment of electoral support along party lines. With legal barriers to voting lifted with the introduction of the Voting Rights Act in 1965, minority participation in American politics increased ten-fold. In turn, Democrats became more liberal and racially diverse, with Republicans becoming increasingly conservative and more dependent on the white vote. This demographic trend of increased minority participation continues to be relevant today, with global migration patterns over the last few decades constructing an increasingly diverse electorate.

Increased migration is arguably the most visible aspect of globalisation, with growing numbers of individuals journeying across national borders in search of better employment opportunities and a better quality of life. As populations start to age, with record low fertility rates, and universal concerns regarding the cost of living, immigration has been a significant crutch to global economic development.

Yet, immigration policy considerations are one of the largest points of political contention across democratic states, with its most vocal opponents claiming that immigration only distributes benefits in a way that creates winners and losers. According to outspoken critics, the losers are the ‘real Americans’ victimised by severe wage depression driven by more competitive labour markets.

It is important to note that the United States has more immigrants than any other country in the world, with almost 13 percent of the population being foreign born. Consequently, immigration disputes have become incredibly divisive, with Republican representatives Donald Trump, John Stanton and Larry Hopkins becoming the faces of the anti-immigration movement.

Confronted with rising economic inequality and disparities in wealth and opportunity, the immigration debate has exacerbated political polarisation by fuelling resentment, grievances, and perceptions of injustice. Not only has this contributed to increased support for radical and populist ideologies but has also diminished the electoral success of liberal immigration integration policies, impacting the welfare of millions across the globe.

In the last few decades, these economic anxieties and working-class frustrations have been channelled into political activism, provoked not only by Trump and other key conservative actors, but by the rise of digital media. As social networking platforms become a popular campaign device, these sites become home to fragmented echo chambers, where individuals are exposed primarily to information and opinions that reinforce existing beliefs.

This selective exposure to ideologically homogenous media sources reinforces polarisation by amplifying partisan rhetoric and reducing exposure to other diverse perspectives. In this way, it can be said that social media played a vital role in the January 6 insurrection at the US Capitol. As both members of Congress and federal law enforcement investigated the origins of this political outcry, the dissemination of false information surrounding the 2020 election on trending social media sites, Facebook and Twitter, was discovered a crucial factor. Broader interest was also generated around digital algorithms and their role in the promotion of disinformation.

Whilst it can be argued that there are significant benefits of universal access to social networking sites, i.e. improved communication channels and international marketing capabilities, significant empirical evidence suggests that these sites can exacerbate levels of extreme polarisation, eroding American democratic values and increasing levels of partisan violence.

On the other hand, with increased levels of diversity throughout the country, and subsequently greater divergence in social identities as a result of globalisation, a new phenomenon has emerged: ‘identity politics’. As issues such as race, religion, gender and other aspects of an individual’s socioeconomic status begin to intersect more explicitly with their political beliefs, identity-based political coalitions begin to form, not only intensifying the existence of political polarisation but giving authority to harmful nationalist sentiment.

Only a few decades ago it would be considered relatively common to find Republican voters in support of immigration policy, or Democratic voters against it i.e. it was reasonably standard for people to have conservative views on certain issues and liberal views on others. However, in today’s world, Americans have moved to align themselves with the ideology of their preferred party and as aforementioned, there has been a noticeable divergence between the preferences of voters as a result.

Whilst it can never be argued that identity is unimportant in the world of politics, many politicians, especially those on the left, argue that identity politics has served as a distraction from more important issues, such as the growing income gap and a financial system riddled with abuse and corruption. Likewise, by focusing so heavily on issues of identity, the Democrats have surrendered to radical and vociferous adversaries who tap into an economically populist message and seal their victory by lamenting the concerns of their voters.

By drawing in the vote of the white working class American, conservative leaders have attempted to re-balance the scale of winners and losers, championing their electorate and heightening antipathy towards opposing factions. With that in mind, what does this mean for society and the future of American democracy?

A Stain on Democracy

Not unlike other aspects of everyday life, debate is a healthy manifestation of open communication and collaboration. In a healthy democracy, these disputes are characterised by open-mindedness, mutual respect, and a commitment to finding common ground. Yet, in deeply polarised democracies, debates exacerbate social divisions, reinforce ideological echo chambers, and undermine trust in democratic institutions.

As partisan actors become entrenched in their positions, unwilling to listen to opposing viewpoints and eager to score political points by undermining the credibility of their opponents, political polarisation gives rise to the existence of legislative gridlock. Threatened by legislative paralysis, policymakers are unable to address pressing issues and challenges faced by society today, and with a lack of essential reforms, critical problems are often left abandoned. Heated negotiations over Coronavirus relief packages back in 2020 were stalled for several weeks as President Trump’s advisors and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi openly feuded over its contents.

Persistent ineffective governance seemingly undermines public trust in the political process and impedes substantial efforts to address societal problems through democratic means, as citizens are left disillusioned and disenfranchised by their elected representatives. According to the Gallup Poll in 2020, fewer than 1 in 5 voters said they liked what Congress were doing on Capitol Hill, and these number have seen little improvement over the last few years.

By inaugurating an ‘us vs them’ mentality in Congress, political polarisation acts to weaponize important social issues. Exploiting these issues for political gain, politicians mobilise their base by demonising public opponents, most commonly through inadequate information and misleading soundbites in the media. In framing major social challenges in ways that evoke strong emotional reactions, partisan actors are able to rally crucial supporters around their particular stance, and as a result, these challenges become politicised tools as opposed to genuine areas of concern or debate.

For example, in the US, even infectious diseases are subject to partisan conflict. Following a WHO statement that declared Omicron a variant of serious concern, Republican representative Ronny Jackson classified the newly detected strain of COVID-19 a Democratic trick to justify absentee voting. These views were widely shared on popular social media site, Twitter, exacerbating levels of false information in the press and leaving thousands of impressionable people vulnerable to the disease.

As to opposed to being approached as essential tools for fostering equality and social progress, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) efforts have also become battlegrounds for political ideologies. These partisan divides have entrenched discussions around topics of race, religion, gender and sexuality, leading to severe legislative gridlock in addressing systemic inequalities.

The politicisation of DEI initiatives in the United States has led to significant negative implications across various societal domains, with The Florida Board of Education passing regulations limiting the use of public funds for DEI programs, activities and policies in the public college system in recent weeks. This could look like anything from anti-racism or anti-bias training to accessibility measures for people with disabilities. Championed by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and his administration, these regulations have been classified as integral to the anti-“woke” movement, with Ron DeSantis labelling DEI efforts “indoctrination” and a liberal tool to promote wider societal division.

This politicisation of DEI has eroded public trust in these initiatives, with many viewing them as partisan tools rather than genuine efforts to address potent societal injustices, distorting voter opinion and discrediting democratic channels. Marginalised communities continue to face systemic barriers to equality, perpetuating cycles of discrimination and exclusion.

The impacts of political polarisation on society are far reaching and profound, touching upon various aspects of governance, discourse, and social cohesion. As polarisation deepens, divisions widen, and efforts to address pressing societal challenges are squashed, hopes for a national consensus are weakened.

What next for American Democracy?

In the face of escalating political polarisation and the erosion of American solidarity, it is imperative that we acknowledge the urgency of the situation and take decisive action to mend the fractures in our society. Moving forward, we must prioritise fostering empathy, understanding, and respect for diverse perspectives.

Meaningful efforts to bridge the political divide and rebuild national solidarity must include initiatives promoting civic education, supporting bipartisan cooperation, and cultivating spaces for constructive dialogue. Whether this comes from constitutional reform or state-wide regulation, legislative transformation is integral in finding a cure for this political pandemic; democracy is in need of extensive rehabilitation.

Investing in policies that address socioeconomic inequalities and promote social cohesion can help mitigate the underlying drivers of polarisation. This includes greater targeted public expenditure on employment and welfare, tax credit measures and other anti-poverty programs. By embracing these next steps and committing to a collective vision of a more united America, a future where political differences do not overshadow shared values and aspirations is achievable.

Democracies across the globe are facing similar challenges, affecting the socio-political freedoms of millions of individuals. If America can make concerted efforts to heal their divisions, the rest of the world may realise the promise of a more inclusive and resilient society, springing hopes of a brighter future. We all may be living in the “land of the free”.

Useful links:

• Link up with Emily Rowe on LinkedIn
• Read a related article: Beyond Politics: The economic case for migration
• Read this and other student articles in the special June 2024 issue of Global Voice magzine
• Discover Monash Business School
• Apply for a degree programme at one of Monash’s campuses located in Australia, Malaysia, and Indonesia.

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