The widening divide: Political Polarization in the 21st Century

In this episode, we dive deep into the roots and rise of political polarization. We begin with the French Revolution, where the concepts of “left” and “right” first took shape, and follow how these ideological divides have evolved over time. The conversation then shifts to the modern era, focusing on the growing divide in the United States, where ideological and affective polarization shape politics and society alike. We unpack the forces fueling this trend from media fragmentation and economic inequality to partisan sorting and explore the far-reaching consequences for government effectiveness, social unity, and the way we talk to one another. Finally, we contrast the challenges of America’s two-party system with the dynamics of multi- party democracies around the world.

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