Democratic Resilience: Can the United States Withstand Rising Polarization?

Politics in the US has become increasingly polarized, with political elites and citizens divided into rival partisan camps. This polarization poses threats to democracy, but Democratic Resilience examines how it affects institutional checks and balances, political behavior, and voters, civil society actors, and political elites. The volume bridges the conventional divide between institutional and behavioral approaches and identifies institutional and societal sources of democratic resilience.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 320 pages
Publication date: 25 November 2021
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

The political landscape in the United States has witnessed a significant polarization in recent decades, dividing both political elites and ordinary citizens into rival and often antagonistic partisan camps. Each camp questions the legitimacy and democratic commitments of the opposing side, creating a deep divide within the nation. This polarization raises concerns about the potential threats it poses to democracy itself.

To address these challenges, Democratic Resilience brings together a distinguished group of experts who examine the impact of polarization on the functioning of institutional checks and balances as well as the political behavior of voters, civil society actors, and political elites. The volume seeks to bridge the traditional divide between institutional and behavioral approaches to studying American politics and incorporates historical and comparative insights to understand the nature of contemporary challenges to democracy.

Furthermore, the book breaks new ground by identifying the institutional and societal factors that contribute to democratic resilience. By exploring these dimensions, Democratic Resilience provides valuable insights into the mechanisms that can help democratic institutions withstand the pressures of polarization and maintain their integrity.

In conclusion, the polarization of politics in the United States poses significant threats to democracy. However, by examining the impact of polarization through the lens of democratic resilience, this book offers valuable insights into the mechanisms that can help democratic institutions withstand the challenges of the contemporary political landscape. It is a crucial contribution to the ongoing debate about the future of democracy in the United States and beyond.

Weight: 625g
ISBN-13: 9781108995641
Edition number: New ed