Causes of Polarisation in the United States

The article explores the causes of polarisation in the USA. The author delves into various factors, such as elite-level policy disagreements, national economic conditions, electoral institutions, media fragmentation, party realignment, social sorting, and racial diversity, in order to comprehensively understand how those factors contribute to the existing high, though not alarming, if to be compared with other developed countries, level of polarisation in the United States. To limit the scope of the research, only the causes of polarisation are examined, omitting the negative consequences that are apparent during high levels of polarisation. The article particularly explores the role of social media and the rise of populism, especially of right-wing populism, apparent with Donald Trump being elected as the 47th president of the USA. The study aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the factors contributing to polarisation. The research is exploratory in nature, as it tries to gain familiarity with the phenomenon of polarisation, particularly in the United States, as well as gain new insights into it. The research question posed and explored by the author is: what are the primary causes of political polarisation in the United States? By exploring the topic as well as the research questions posed, the research, in addition to the above-mentioned purpose, seeks to contribute to the discourse on preserving and strengthening democratic institutions, as well as the strengthening of deliberate democracy in the face of increasing division.