Party Polarization and Governance in the U.S.

The purpose of this review is to take stock of how party polarization affects governance in the

United States. The article begins by defining polarization and discussing the means by which it

can be measured. It is undeniable that the two parties have grown more sharply differentiated.

Some evidence suggests that the substantive policy preferences of liberals and conservatives diverge

more widely, but the case for ideological polarization in the spatial sense is not definitive.

Effects on the institutional processes of US government have entailed a hardening of party divisions

and a tendency toward centralization of power. Nevertheless, these more cohesive

parties are not more effective than their predecessors at enacting policies or managing routine