Editor’s Note: Each Composition class chose one essay to represent the class. This essay was chosen to represent Ms. Aurigemma’s class. In addition, Nathan’s essay was chosen as the spotlight essay from among the top essays from each class.
We are all victims of our nation’s ever polarizing climate, and it’s only getting worse. The establishment once created by and for the people has since abused the opinions and passions of its people, creating an endless cycle of polarization in the American political climate. If we can not learn to look beyond our differences to break this cycle, we will watch our nation pull its very democracy apart.
Almost all Americans have experienced the divided climate in our country. In fact, there is a 47% difference between Americans who believe the government has done a good job and a bad job handling the COVID-19 pandemic, a 12% greater difference than in France— the second most divided country on this issue. This polarization creates push and pull between the people and the political establishment. As stated by Mike Cummings from Yale News, “The primaries and caucuses pull the candidates to the extremes… They try to move more moderate voters toward the extremes… The polarization of Congress didn’t follow the polarization of the population, it preceded it.” If politicians
successfully pull moderates towards their side, they do not have to worry about moderating their views.
The average American tends to be just as opinionated as our elected politicians. In 2019, 45% of Democrats said they would be unhappy if their child married a Republican, and 35% vice versa. Tribalism – the behaviors that stem from strong loyalty to one’s own social group – is a psychological explanation behind some of these human behaviors.
While tribalism drives Americans towards fierce judgment of others, it is more extreme than in other countries.
American media bubbles also play a factor, exposing many of us to partisan news, with little interaction or exposure to other sides of the political spectrum. Most Americans do not trust major news sources for their well known biases but end up following news that only reinforces their own ideas, trapping them in an echo chamber of bias.
Some would argue that polarization is not all bad. The two main political parties in the United States are now more distinct than in previous decades, which gives voters more meaningful choices. While true, as political parties move toward the poles and people increasingly distrust members of the other political party, it has become difficult for politicians to agree on a way forward.
We need to combat our exceptional divide. If we can fight to break out of the loop of polarization, we can save the future of our democracy. Some ways we can start combating polarization is by electing bipartisan politicians, staying wary of biased news sources, and – most importantly – keeping an open mind. Expose yourself to ideas you disagree with, and listen to arguments from all sides.