Abstract

DOMINGUEZ LOPEZ, Ernesto. Political Polarization in the Obama Years. UH [online]. 2019, n.287, pp.334-362. ISSN 0253-9276.

Abstract: In this paper I propose a definition of political polarization in United States with two core ideas: polarization as a process, and differentiation as a central feature, where the location of the poles in the extremes of a distribution is a limit case. I also propose a definition of elite polarization, mass polarization and partisan polarization as specific expressions of the process. On this base I examine data published in reports on political preferences and on legislative activity in the Obama years. The information makes apparent the degree of differentiation of political positions on core issues between liberals-democrats and conservatives-republicans. It shows a clear bimodal behavior that reflects on a reduction of the legislative production, as a consequence of a reduction in bipartisan commitments in a polarized environment.

Keywords : Conflict; Congress; Elites; Partisanship.

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