Polarization and the Culture Wars

Polarization refers to the process by which opinions, beliefs, or positions on a particular issue become more extreme and divided over time. It often involves the formation of distinct and opposing groups with little common ground, resulting in an increased distance between individuals or communities with different perspectives. In a polarized environment, people tend to align themselves with like-minded individuals, and there is a decrease in the willingness to engage in constructive dialogue or compromise. On the other hand, the culture war refers to the idea that there is a battle over societal and cultural issues, with opposing sides often having deeply entrenched views. In this sense, the culture war is a specific manifestation of polarization and polarization can be used as an empirical measurement of culture wars. However, they should not be confused for the same thing.

One of the biggest manifestations of polarization in American politics takes place in Congress, whose efficiency is hindered by the fact that polarization affects cooperation among party lines. However, polarization is not enough to cause the political warfare that goes on within Congress. Party polarization serves as the root cause, yet it alone is insufficient to explain the depth and heat of the debate. The emergence of ideological legislators contributing to political discourse contrasts sharply with political warriors who wreak havoc without regard for the legislative process (Hopkins and Sides, 2015) These political warriors are more in alignment with the attitudes of the culture wars.

Contrary to common belief, party polarization has been a longstanding feature of American politics. However, contemporary polarization might differ due to what scholars term “conflict extension" (Hopkins and Sides, 2015). This refers to how party activists emerge as key catalysts, championing extreme positions on new issues and influencing party systems and voting trends. Because of changes in the American party system, it has now become easier for activist groups to enter party politics and even become elected officials. This dynamic leads to a situation where parties seem to disagree on virtually everything, given that new actors now have more extreme opinions.

The public perception of polarization often misses the fact that Americans, on average, remain predominantly centrist. However, the increasing identification with political parties and the role of party activists contribute significantly to the observed polarization. (Hopkins and Sides, 2015) The term "moderate" in politics carries a favorable connotation, potentially biasing survey reporting. While the public may appear more moderate, the polarization is more an artifact of survey responses than an accurate depiction of Americans' ideology.

The culture war debate intersects with polarization, driven by profound changes in American society. Shifts in racial and ethnic diversity, religious beliefs, and moral values have contributed to distinct electoral coalitions supporting major parties. Democrats and Republicans now reflect deep divides in race, religion, ideology, and policy preferences, escalating the culture war beyond mere polarization. In a similar line, educated whites play a pivotal role in driving polarization, challenging the notion that the public is overwhelmingly centrist. Culture wars find their roots in societal and cultural shifts, especially the growing racial and ethnic diversity of the American population (Hopkins and Sides, 2015).

Despite all this, the role polarization plays in the culture wars cannot be denied. Policy differences between political parties do not arise only from having different information or values, but may also be influenced by partisan animosity (Drunkman et al, 2020). This is significant because extensive research has established connections between partisan hostility and behaviors in social and economic aspects, such as friendships, romantic relationships, and business transactions. Therefore, one cannot discuss the issue of the culture wars without addressing the role polarization plays in it. We live in polarized times, where partisans dislike and distrust members of the opposing party to an unprecedented degree (Tyler and Iyengar, 2023). Recent research finds that even adolescents identifying as Republican or Democrat have become just as polarized as adults. This increased polarization in youth is more due to heightened distrust of the opposing party than enhanced positivity towards their own party.

Polarization and the culture war debate are intertwined yet distinct phenomena. While polarization captures the increasing divide in political and ideological preferences, the culture war debate delves into societal and cultural shifts that have amplified these divisions. Understanding the roots, faces, and consequences of polarization is crucial for navigating the complex landscape of contemporary American politics.

(Writen in Spring 2024 for the course "Morality Politics and the Culture Wars" at the Political Science Department at the University of Notre Dame)