Just How Polarized Are We?
Five Quick Facts to Commit to Memory
Over the past decade, polarization has become one of the most existential issues facing American society. But just how polarized are we actually?
Effectively addressing an issue first requires assessing the extent of the damage, so here’s an overview of the damage with sources for further reading.
Of course, there are hundreds of other similar stats to the stats below, but drowning an audience in similar stats tends to dilute the power of each individual stat.
Focusing on and truly internalizing a handful of powerful stats is what leads to universal talking points. The stats below capture the full breadth of the Problem of Polarization and should therefore be committed to memory and frequently repeated in order to make clear the full extent of this problem.
1. 87% of Americans say political polarization is a threat to America. (AP/NORC)
This is about as simple as it gets. The vast majority of Americans are in agreement.
2. 86% of Americans say that they feel exhausted by the division in America. (Hidden Tribes)
Even worse, not only do Americans view polarization as an issue, but virtually the same amount believe it is having personally detrimental effects. It can be easy to read this stat as a repeat of the first, but consider that many Americans view the opioid epidemic, the Taiwan question, climate change, and gun violence as threats to America, but nowhere near the same amount would feel personally exhausted or affected by these issues.
Polarization, on the other hand, is not only nearly universally seen as an issue, but it is also nearly universally negatively impacting the personal happiness and wellbeing of most Americans.
3. 80% of self-identified Democrats and Republicans believe that the other party “poses a threat that if not stopped will destroy America as we know it." (NBC News)
Terrifyingly, partisans on both sides of the aisle (81% of Democrats and 79% of Republicans) believe that America as they know it is on the line when it comes to political disagreements. The distrust and demonization of the “other side” is a frequent talking point within polarization circles, but the degree to which this “other side” thinking has truly permeated every level of society is rarely discussed. This simple fact brings this dismal picture into much sharper focus.
4. 19% have experienced depression, anxiety or sadness as a result of partisan disagreements and divisiveness. (Public Agenda)
The degree to which polarization poses a legitimate public health crisis has only recently begun to be better understood. Some of the most important stats to understand and frequently discuss are those that shed light on the mental health consequences of the Problem of Polarization. As Americans of all ages, and younger generations specifically, grapple more frequently with a devolving mental health epidemic, it is more important than ever to identify and fight against this crises’ causes, including political polarization.
But there’s hope…
5. 79% say, given the opportunity, they would play a part in reducing social division in America. (Listen First Project)
The silver lining of the widespread recognition that polarization is a problem is the equally widespread desire to personally contribute to a solution. Americans not only desire a solution, but they are willing to play a part in that solution.
In my view, these five stats best sum up the current state of polarization in the U.S. Plenty of other stats can offer additional context, but committing a handful to memory can help provide a quantitative context for a discussion that can be anecdotal and hyperbolic in many instances.