In contemporary American politics, the chasm separating Republicans and Democrats is wider and more pronounced along ideological lines than it has been at any point in the last twenty years. This growing divide, characterized by intense partisan animosity, permeates both the political arena and everyday life. A recent survey encompassing 10,000 adults across the nation reveals that this polarization is most acute among those most actively involved in the political process.
Democrats and Republicans More Ideologically Divided than in the Past
The Shrinking Center: How Political Beliefs Are Moving Away from Uniformity
The proportion of Americans holding consistently conservative or consistently liberal viewpoints has doubled over the past two decades, escalating from 10% to 21%. Ideological alignment with party affiliation has become significantly stronger, leading to a decrease in ideological overlap between the two major parties. Currently, an overwhelming 92% of Republicans are positioned to the right of the median Democrat, while 94% of Democrats are to the left of the median Republican. This stark ideological divergence highlights a significant move away from centrist or moderate positions, showcasing the increasing lack of uniformity in political beliefs across party lines.
Partisan Antipathy: The Opposite of Political Harmony
Concurrently, partisan animosity has surged dramatically. Within both parties, the percentage of individuals harboring highly negative views of the opposing party has more than doubled since 1994. A significant portion of these deeply partisan individuals believe that the opposing party’s policies are “so misguided that they threaten the nation’s well-being.” This escalating hostility underscores the breakdown of political harmony, representing a stark contrast to a unified or even moderately agreeable political landscape.
Beyond Dislike: Viewing the Other Party as a ‘Threat to the Nation’s Well-Being’
Political Personalization: When Disagreement Becomes Personal
“Ideological silos” are now a prevalent feature of both the left and right wings of the political spectrum. Individuals with consistently held ideological stances, particularly conservatives, are more inclined to report that their closest friends share their political perspectives. Liberals and conservatives exhibit distinct preferences regarding where they choose to reside, the types of people they prefer to live amongst, and even who they would welcome into their families. This personalization of politics signifies a retreat from diverse social circles, fostering environments where dissenting opinions – the Opposite Of Uniformity – are less frequently encountered.
Amidst increasing political gridlock in Capitol Hill, a substantial number of individuals on both sides of the political spectrum believe that political negotiations between Obama and Republican leaders should result in their side achieving more of its desired outcomes. This lack of willingness to compromise further exemplifies the move away from political uniformity and consensus-building.
It is important to note that these sentiments are not universally held across the American population. The majority of Americans do not adhere to uniformly conservative or liberal views. Most do not perceive either party as a national threat. Furthermore, a larger segment believes that their government representatives should seek compromise to resolve disputes rather than rigidly pursuing maximal gains.
However, many of these centrists remain on the periphery of the political landscape, exhibiting relative detachment and disengagement. In contrast, the most ideologically driven and politically contentious Americans are amplifying their voices through heightened participation at every stage of the political process. This disparity in engagement further exacerbates the trend away from political uniformity, as the most extreme voices become the loudest.
The intensification of ideological uniformity is particularly pronounced among those who are most politically active. Currently, nearly four in ten (38%) politically engaged Democrats identify as consistent liberals, a significant increase from just 8% in 1994. While the change among Republicans appears less dramatic – 33% express consistently conservative views, up from 23% during the 1994 “Republican Revolution” – it is noteworthy that only a decade prior, a mere 10% of politically engaged Republicans held consistently conservative attitudes.
Political Activism Gap: Right and Left More Likely to Vote, Donate to Campaigns
Across various measures of political engagement – including primary voting, contacting officials, volunteering for campaigns, and donating to campaigns – the most politically polarized individuals demonstrate greater levels of activity. This heightened engagement amplifies the voices of those least inclined to seek common ground, further driving the movement away from political uniformity and towards increased divergence.
These findings emerge from the most comprehensive study of U.S. political attitudes ever conducted by the Pew Research Center. The data is derived from a national telephone survey of 10,013 adults, conducted between January and March of this year, and ongoing follow-up surveys. This extensive dataset, combined with trend analysis and insights from two decades of Pew Research Center polling, provides a detailed understanding of partisan polarization and its manifestations in political behaviors, policy debates, election dynamics, and daily life, highlighting the multifaceted nature of the opposite of political uniformity.
What Polarization Looks Like
Growing Minority Holds Consistent Ideological Views
To track the evolution of ideological thinking, responses to ten political values questions, consistently asked across Pew Research surveys since 1994, have been combined to create a measure of ideological consistency. Over the past twenty years, the proportion of Americans at the ideological extremes has doubled from 10% to 21%. Simultaneously, the political center has contracted: currently, 39% hold a roughly equal mix of liberal and conservative positions, down from approximately half (49%) in surveys conducted in 1994 and 2004. This data visually represents the diminishing political uniformity and the expansion of ideological diversity at the poles.
This shift reflects a dual movement: Democrats are increasingly leaning leftward, and Republicans are increasingly leaning rightward, resulting in diminished ideological overlap between the parties. Today, 92% of Republicans are positioned to the right of the median Democrat, compared to 64% two decades ago. Similarly, 94% of Democrats are now to the left of the median Republican, up from 70% in 1994. These figures starkly illustrate the increasing ideological separation and the decline of political uniformity.
Republicans Shift to the Right, Democrats to the Left
More Negative Views of the Opposing Party
Beyond the rise in ideological consistency, a crucial element in polarization is the escalating contempt that many Republicans and Democrats harbor for the opposing party. While partisan dislike is not a novel phenomenon in politics, contemporary sentiments are more widespread and deeply rooted than in recent history. This surge in negative views directly opposes the concept of political uniformity and consensus.
In 1994, a period hardly characterized by amicable partisan relations, a majority of Republicans held unfavorable impressions of the Democratic Party, but only 17% held very unfavorable opinions. Similarly, while most Democrats viewed the GOP unfavorably, only 16% held very unfavorable views. Since then, intensely negative views have more than doubled: 43% of Republicans and 38% of Democrats now view the opposing party in extremely negative terms. This dramatic increase in mutual antipathy underscores the increasing lack of political uniformity and the deepening partisan divide.
A Rising Tide of Mutual Antipathy
Even these figures only partially capture the extent of partisan animosity. Those with very unfavorable impressions of each party were further asked: “Would you say the party’s policies are so misguided that they threaten the nation’s well-being, or wouldn’t you go that far?” A majority of respondents answered affirmatively, indicating a deep-seated belief that the opposing party poses a fundamental threat to the nation. Among all Democrats, 27% believe the GOP threatens the country’s well-being. This figure is even higher among Republicans, with 36% believing Democratic policies threaten the nation. This perception of existential threat further exemplifies the breakdown of political uniformity and the rise of extreme partisan division.
Politics Gets Personal
Liberals and conservatives share a strong engagement with politics. They are significantly more likely than those with mixed ideological views to engage in political discussions on a weekly or daily basis. However, for many, particularly on the right, these conversations may not encompass a wide range of opposing viewpoints. This tendency towards homogenous political discourse reinforces ideological silos and diminishes exposure to diverse perspectives, contrasting with the idea of intellectual uniformity.
Ideological Echo Chambers
Nearly two-thirds (63%) of consistent conservatives and approximately half (49%) of consistent liberals report that most of their close friends share their political views. Among those with mixed ideological values, only 25% report the same. Individuals on the right and left are also more likely to prioritize living in communities where most residents share their political views, although this preference is more pronounced on the right (50%) than on the left (35%). This self-selection into ideologically homogenous communities further reduces exposure to diverse viewpoints and reinforces the trend away from societal uniformity.
While overall, few Americans express disappointment at the prospect of a family member marrying a Democrat (8%) or a Republican (9%), this sentiment is not uncommon on the left or right ideological extremes. Three out of ten (30%) consistent conservatives would be unhappy if an immediate family member married a Democrat, and about a quarter (23%) of consistent liberals express similar reservations about a Republican in-law. This intrusion of political polarization into personal relationships underscores the deep societal impact of the move away from political uniformity.
While areas of consensus exist – most Americans, regardless of ideology, value communities with close proximity to extended family and high-quality schools – significant ideological divides persist in community preferences. Far more liberals than conservatives prioritize racial and ethnic diversity in their community (76% vs. 20%). Conversely, conservatives are more likely than liberals to emphasize living in a place where many share their religious faith (57% vs. 17% of liberals). These diverging priorities highlight the multifaceted nature of political polarization extending beyond policy disagreements to shape lifestyle choices and community values, further showcasing the opposite of uniformity.
Liberals Want Walkable Communities, Conservatives Prefer More Room
The divergence between right and left extends beyond political opinions, friendships, and neighborhood preferences. Given a choice of where to live, three-quarters of consistent conservatives favor communities where “houses are larger and farther apart, but schools, stores, and restaurants are several miles away.” The preferences of consistent liberals are almost the exact opposite, with 77% indicating they would choose to live where “houses are smaller and closer to each other, but schools, stores, and restaurants are within walking distance.” These contrasting lifestyle preferences, rooted in ideological divides, further illustrate the pervasive influence of political polarization and the move away from a uniform American experience.
Polarization’s Consequences
Observing a political system seemingly paralyzed by inaction, most Americans in the electorate’s center believe that Obama and Republican leaders should seek compromise to address the nation’s challenges. This desire for compromise reflects a yearning for political uniformity and cooperation, contrasting with the reality of increasing polarization.
Compromise in the Eye of the Beholder
However, the concept of an equitable agreement is subjective and varies significantly across the ideological spectrum. Both liberals and conservatives tend to define an optimal political outcome as one where their side achieves more of its objectives. A majority of consistent conservatives (57%) believe the ideal agreement between President Obama and congressional Republicans would involve GOP leaders holding firm to achieve more of their goals. Consistent liberals hold the opposite view, with their preferred terms (favored by 62%) aligning more closely with Obama’s position than the GOP’s. This divergence in perspectives on compromise highlights the challenges posed by political polarization and the difficulty in achieving political uniformity or consensus in a deeply divided landscape.
Polarization in Red and Blue
The indicators of political polarization are evident across the political spectrum, although the trajectory, nature, and magnitude differ between the left and right. Understanding these nuances is crucial to grasping the multifaceted nature of the opposite of political uniformity.
With Barack Obama in the White House during the study period, partisan antipathy was more pronounced among Republicans, particularly consistently conservative Republicans. Overall, more Republicans than Democrats perceive the opposing party’s policies as a threat, and these differences are amplified when considering ideology. A striking 66% of consistently conservative Republicans believe that Democratic policies threaten the nation’s well-being. In comparison, half (50%) of consistently liberal Democrats believe Republican policies jeopardize the nation’s well-being. Conservatives also exhibit more partisan behavior in their personal lives, demonstrating a greater tendency to have friends and prefer communities composed of like-minded individuals. This asymmetry in partisan antipathy and behavior underscores the complex dynamics of political polarization.
Conversely, ideological uniformity is equally prevalent on both the left and right. The proportion of Democrats holding consistently liberal views has grown steadily over the past two decades, quadrupling from 5% in 1994 to 23% currently. Social issues such as homosexuality and immigration, which once caused deep divisions within the Democratic Party, are now areas of relative consensus. Furthermore, Democrats have become more uniformly critical of business and more supportive of government intervention. This internal homogenization within the Democratic party represents a different facet of the opposite of political uniformity – while inter-party diversity increases, intra-party diversity diminishes.
More Democrats Take Liberal Positions, More Republicans Take Conservative Positions
Changes in ideological consistency on the right have followed a distinct path. In 1994, during the “Republican Revolution,” 13% of Republicans were consistently conservative. This figure decreased to 6% a decade later during George W. Bush’s presidency, before rebounding to 20% today. This recent increase has occurred despite more moderate Republican views on issues like homosexuality and immigration, as GOP ideology on issues related to government and the economy has shifted sharply to the right. This fluctuating pattern of ideological consistency within the Republican party further illustrates the complex and dynamic nature of political polarization and the evolving meaning of the opposite of political uniformity over time.
About the Study
This report is the first in a multi-part series based on a national survey of 10,013 adults nationwide, conducted January 23-March 16, 2014, by the Pew Research Center. The survey, partially funded by grants from the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation and the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, and supported by the generosity of Don C. and Jeane M. Bertsch, aims to understand the nature and scope of political polarization in the American public and its interrelation with government, society, and personal lives. This comprehensive study provides valuable insights into the increasing lack of political uniformity in American society.
The second report in this series, the new Pew Research Center Political Typology, will be released in the coming weeks. This typology, the sixth such study since 1987, will delve beyond simplistic Red vs. Blue divisions to provide a clearer understanding of the dynamic “center” of the American electorate and the internal divisions within both the left and right wings. This future report promises to further illuminate the complexities of political diversity – the opposite of uniformity.
Subsequent reports will explore the various factors contributing to or stemming from political polarization. A September report will examine the link between political polarization and individuals’ information environments, including news sources, social media habits, and interpersonal communication networks. Other reports will investigate the relationship between political polarization and residential location, political environments, self-perception, socioeconomic circumstances, generational changes, and broader sociological and psychological personality traits. This ongoing research initiative demonstrates the Pew Research Center’s commitment to comprehensively understanding the multifaceted phenomenon of political polarization and its implications for American society, focusing on the various aspects of the opposite of political uniformity.
The current report is structured into five parts. The first two parts focus on measuring the nature and scope of political polarization, emphasizing the distinction between growing ideological consistency and increasing partisan antipathy. The third section examines how polarization manifests in individuals’ personal lives. The fourth part explores the relationship between polarization and practical policymaking. The fifth section delves into how political participation both amplifies and reflects polarization. This structured approach provides a thorough analysis of political polarization and its various dimensions, all contributing to a deeper understanding of the opposite of political uniformity in contemporary America.
About the Data
The data presented in this report is based on two independent survey administrations conducted with the same randomly selected, nationally representative group of respondents. The first administration was the 2014 Political Polarization and Typology Survey, the Center’s largest survey on domestic politics to date, a national telephone survey of 10,013 adults (landlines and cell phones) conducted from January to March of this year. The second administration involved incorporating a subset of these respondents into the newly established American Trends Panel and conducting a follow-up survey via web and telephone. Detailed descriptions of both surveys are available in the About the Surveys section of the report. The robust methodology employed in this study ensures the reliability and validity of the findings regarding political polarization and the exploration of the opposite of political uniformity.
