Potentially fascinating analysis of why national politics have become so partisan

[Paul Pless]

Its the internet dammit!

Seriously, the spike in polarization both among voters and candidates seems to have begun around 2002, which coincides with a 'critical mass' level of internet access and use among Americans. This is when cross district donations began to rise, drastically.

There happens to be a built in reward for candidates to become more ideologically extreme so that they are more appealing to donors outside their district.

more here: link

[B_B]

Re: Potentially fascinating analysis of why national politics have become so partisan

Both of you are wrong. The rise of the Christian Right in the '80's culminated in the Gingrich Contract On America and it's been downhill ever since.

The internet might have been an enabler, but it pales in comparison to the drop in standards of discourse made popular by FOX News and big money has always dominated politics in every society ever - even the 'communist' ones which became kleptocratic ganglands very quickly.

[Gerarddm]

Re: Potentially fascinating analysis of why national politics have become so partisan

Two words: Newt Gingrich.