A Comparative Analysis of Depolarization Strategies
Abstract
The salience of political polarization has increased rapidly in the last few years as this phenomenon has infiltrated countries across the globe, including the United States. A potential consequence of polarization is democratic decay, or the gradual transition of democracies into more autocratic regimes. Remedies proposed by scholars include electoral system reform, inclusive rhetorical strategies, and civic dialogue initiatives, among others. This thesis investigates institutional, political, and civic remedies, relying on both quantitative and qualitative analysis, to determine which approach to depolarization has been most effective in practice. The findings are applied to the US case.
Primary Faculty Mentor Name
Peter VonDoepp
Status
Undergraduate
Student College
College of Arts and Sciences
Program/Major
Political Science
Second Program/Major
Economics
Primary Research Category
Social Sciences
A Comparative Analysis of Depolarization Strategies
The salience of political polarization has increased rapidly in the last few years as this phenomenon has infiltrated countries across the globe, including the United States. A potential consequence of polarization is democratic decay, or the gradual transition of democracies into more autocratic regimes. Remedies proposed by scholars include electoral system reform, inclusive rhetorical strategies, and civic dialogue initiatives, among others. This thesis investigates institutional, political, and civic remedies, relying on both quantitative and qualitative analysis, to determine which approach to depolarization has been most effective in practice. The findings are applied to the US case.