Responses

Yes, by multiple standard measures, political polarization in the United States (the primary focus of most data and research) is higher than it has been in recent decades—particularly since the mid-to-late 20th century—and in some respects approaches or exceeds levels not seen since the late 19th or early 20th century. However, it is not the worst in absolute historical terms when compared to eras

[[1]](https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1114750)[[2]](https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/feature/political-polarization-1994-2017/)[[3]](https://voterproject.arizona.edu/understanding-affective-polarization)[[4]](https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2022/08/09/as-partisan-hostility-grows-signs-of-frustration-with-the-two-party-system/)Yes, in several key measurable dimensions—particularly

Yes, in several key measurable ways—particularly among political elites, in partisan sorting, and in affective (emotional) dislike of the other side—political polarization in the United States is worse than it has been for much of the past century, and it ranks among the highest levels in U.S. history outside of extreme periods like the Civil War era. However, it is not unprecedented, absolute lev