Comparing Electoral Polarization Levels

TL;DR

This paper proposes a flexible method to measure ideological polarization in electorates, demonstrating its application with US survey data and exploring its relation to affective polarization and divisive issues.

Contribution

It introduces a novel, adaptable definition of ideological polarization and applies it to empirical US survey data to analyze polarization dynamics.

Findings

Polarization levels can be effectively measured using the proposed definition.

The approach reveals the central point around which polarization occurs.

Ideological polarization is related to affective polarization and divisive issues.

Abstract

This paper introduces a definition of ideological polarization of an electorate around a particular central point. The definition is flexible about the location or boundaries of the center. Using US survey data, the paper shows how this approach can be used to establish whether polarization is occurring, and to find the position around which it is happening. I then show how ideological polarization as defined here is related to other phenomena, such as affective polarization and increased salience of divisive issues.