Chapter 1 - How Democrats became liberals and republicans became conservatives Flashcards
What central change does Ezra Klein argue has occurred in American politics?
Political polarization has intensified dramatically, transforming parties from ideologically diverse coalitions into distinct liberal and conservative camps.
What did the 1950 APSA report “Toward a More Responsible Two-Party System” advocate for?
It called for more ideological polarization, arguing that the parties were too similar and confusing for voters. The authors believed distinct platforms would help voters make informed choices.
Why did political scientists in 1950 believe ideological polarization could help democracy?
Because political parties function as cognitive shortcuts, helping voters translate their values into policy decisions across complex issues.
What was the political reality in the 1950s that the APSA criticized?
The parties were muddled—liberals and conservatives were found in both parties, making party labels uninformative and undermining democratic accountability.
What was Thomas Dewey’s defense of party overlap?
He argued that overlap reflected America’s diversity and prevented extreme policy swings, helping ensure stability and continuity.
How did Goldwater’s 1964 campaign shift the political landscape?
It introduced a sharp ideological contrast by rejecting moderate compromise and insisting the GOP offer “a choice, not an echo.” Though he lost badly, his campaign planted seeds for conservative realignment.
What was George Romney’s critique of ideological parties?
He warned they would fracture society, create deadlock, and prevent compromise needed for freedom and progress.
How did partisan ideology shift in public perception between the 1970s and 2010s?
In the 1970s, many voters didn’t perceive a big difference between the parties. By 2018, party identity had become a nearly perfect predictor of voting behavior.
What is “negative partisanship”?
Partisan loyalty driven more by dislike or fear of the opposing party than enthusiasm for one’s own. People vote “against” rather than “for.”
How do trends in party identification and voting behavior appear contradictory?
Fewer people identify with a party, but partisan voting has become more consistent. This is explained by negative partisanship and social pressures.
How has partisanship changed among independents?
Modern self-identified independents are more reliably partisan in their voting behavior than even strong partisans were in the 1970s.
What did the Pew Research data reveal about partisan divides from 1994 to 2017?
The average partisan gap across 10 key political views doubled—from 15 to 36 points. Democrats and Republicans now hold starkly different views on issues like race, immigration, and welfare.
What explains increased clarity in party differences for voters?
As party agendas have become more ideologically distinct, even inattentive voters can easily tell them apart—something that wasn’t true in 1980.
What are some examples of past bipartisan cooperation that seem impossible today?
Reagan’s amnesty immigration bill, Bush’s tax increases and environmental policies, and bipartisan support for Medicare in 1965. Today’s GOP is much more ideologically rigid.
How has party alignment on abortion evolved?
In the past, both parties had internal divides on abortion. Now, Democrats uniformly support Roe v. Wade; Republicans uniformly oppose it.
What does the “feeling thermometer” reveal about partisan emotions?
Since 1980, feelings toward the opposing party have declined sharply, reflecting increased hostility and mistrust.
How do party activists influence the climate of polarization?
Activists with the strongest opinions drive party platforms and voter mobilization, intensifying the divide and painting the opposition as dangerous.
How does Klein explain the deepening divide?
The parties have become genuinely different on key policy and moral issues (e.g., race, immigration, health care), making intense partisanship a rational response.
What role does race play in the story of polarization?
Race is central to the growing ideological divide, shaping both party platforms and public opinion—this theme is explored in greater depth in later chapters.
What did historian Joanne Freeman reveal about 19th-century congressional conflict?
Political violence was common, with over 70 incidents between congressmen from 1830–1860—underscoring how deep division is not new.
What’s Klein’s synthesis on whether elites or the public polarized first?
Both are caught in feedback loops—elites polarize faster, but as the public tunes in, it polarizes too. More engagement often equals more polarization.
What was J. Austin Ranney’s critique of the APSA report?
He argued that the U.S. system, which is designed to frustrate majorities, requires compromise—not polarized, ideological parties.
What is the main point or intent of Chapter 1 in Why We’re Polarized by Ezra Klein?
Ezra Klein argues that American politics has undergone a profound transformation: the Democratic and Republican parties are now ideologically sorted in ways they weren’t historically. This shift toward clear, polarized identities is new and intentional, not accidental. He sets the stage for the book by showing how and why this polarization emerged, and how it’s reshaped voter behavior, party identity, and the functioning of democracy itself.
