For the last 20 years, it seems as though all the news about political parties has been
about conflict and stalemate. It seems like political campaigns are increasingly negative,
compromise on issues is rare, and Republicans and Democrats have divided into camps
that are never likely to agree on anything. Is this trend new? What do the facts say?WHAT DO
THE FACTS
SAY?- This graph uses voting behavior to measure the average ideology (liberal–
conservative) of House Democrats and Republicans. Since the 1980s, have
Republicans gotten more conservative, have Democrats become more liberal,
or both? - How might these changes make it harder for members of the contemporary
Congress to enact major changes in government policy? What is more likely:
compromise or gridlock?
Think about it
1948–0.5–0.4–0.3–0.2–0.100.10.20.30.40.50.60.70.8
More ConservativeMore LiberalHouse
RepublicansHouse
Democrats1958 1968 1978 1988 1998 2008 2018273Source: Voteview, voteview.com/Party_Unity.htm (accessed 8/15/16). 2017–2018 updates compiled by author.American political parties todayAre the Parties More Polarized than Ever?
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