The Disappearing Center: Engaged Citizens, Polarization, and American Democracy

Description

Renowned political scientist Alan I. Abramowitz presents a groundbreaking argument that the most important divide in American politics is not between left and right but rather between citizens who are politically engaged and those who are not. It is the engaged members of the public, he argues, who most closely reflect the ideals of democratic citizenship—but this is also the group that is most polarized. Polarization at the highest levels of government, therefore, is not a sign of elites’ disconnection from the public but rather of their responsiveness to the more politically engaged parts of it. Though polarization is often assumed to be detrimental to democracy, Abramowitz concludes that by presenting voters with clear choices, polarization can serve to increase the public’s interest and participation in politics and strengthen electoral accountability. CONTENTS PREFACE 1. Polarization in the Age of Obama 2. The Engaged Public 3. Partisan-Ideological Polarization 4. Polarization and Social Groups 5. Polarization and Elections 6. Polarization in a Changing Electorate 7. Polarization and Representation 8. Polarization and Democratic Governance NOTES INDEX