Why Is Congress So Polarized? It’s the Institutions

Government shutdown led to Kevin McCarthy's removal, highlighting policy conflicts and institutional issues.

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Debate over the national debt and the budget caused divisions, particularly on aid to Ukraine.

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A last-minute deal avoided shutdown, but a faction in the Republican caucus ousted Speaker McCarthy.

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Policy conflict isn't just acrimony, external threats once fostered unity, but peace led to division.

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The public agenda has shifted from international conflict to domestic political war over the years.

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Partisan animosity in the two-party system undermines checks and balances, hindering effective governance.

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The US two-party system resembles European multiparty systems but fuels political polarization.

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Low-turnout primaries favor extreme positions, driven by ideologically motivated participants, intensifying antagonism.

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