32521

SoSe 21: A Tale of Two Countries: The Impact of Increased political Polarization

Michael Oswald

Comments

This seminar is intended as an introduction to issues, concepts and relevant models appropriate to understanding the ongoing polarization in American politics and society as well as implications that might relate to the ever more complicated political process. The final product for the student will be a presentation and a paper. Prior to this, we will lead off the seminar with some details intended to get everyone on the same page with respect to some basic ideological principles that are found within the US, some considerations of core beliefs held within the political culture and the strategic use of them. Finally, this will bring us to a consideration of some of the major challenges facing the American democracy today. These issues pertain fundamentally to complexities of managing the inevitable conflict and decision that will characterize a large, diverse, pluralistic democracy designed intentionally to fragment political authority and disperse power, with a cultural tradition of antiauthoritarianism and severe distrust and skepticism of active government and centralized political leadership (in normal times). Following this, we will move to a consideration of some examples of original research that has recently looked at a few dimensions of these conflicts – or at least, the social dynamics pushing some of these conflicts. They may not threaten the stability of the United States, but they do impact the political and social coalitions shaping partisan positions on policy alignments nationally which bear on the nation’s sense of identity, purpose and responsibilities. close