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Polarization and the Politics of National Policy Making: The Julian Rothbaum Analysis

Jerome Blair

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Published in Party Wars: Polarization And The Politics Of National Policy Making (The Julian J Rothbaum Distinguished Lecture 10)

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Polarization is a state of extreme division or opposition, especially between two opposing groups or factions. In the context of politics, polarization can refer to the division of a political system into two opposing camps, each with its own distinct set of values, beliefs, and policies.

Polarization can have a number of negative consequences for a political system. It can make it difficult for the government to pass laws and resolve conflicts. It can also lead to increased distrust and hostility between different groups of people.

In recent years, polarization has become a major problem in the United States. The two major political parties, the Democrats and Republicans, have become increasingly divided on a wide range of issues. This division has made it difficult for the government to pass laws and has led to increased gridlock in Washington, D.C.

Party Wars: Polarization and the Politics of National Policy Making (The Julian J Rothbaum Distinguished Lecture 10)

Party Wars: Polarization and the Politics of National Policy Making (The Julian J. Rothbaum Distinguished Lecture Series Book 10)

by Barbara Sinclair

4.8 out of 5

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In his book, The Myth of the Liberal Media: The Propaganda Model and the Threat to Democracy, Julian Rothbaum argues that polarization in the United States is not a natural phenomenon. Rather, he argues that it is the result of a deliberate strategy by the conservative media to promote a conservative agenda.

Rothbaum identifies three main strategies that the conservative media uses to promote polarization:

Fear-mongering: The conservative media often uses fear-mongering to scare people into supporting conservative policies. For example, they may claim that immigrants are criminals or that Muslims are terrorists.
Scapegoating: The conservative media often scapegoats certain groups of people for the problems facing the country. For example, they may blame immigrants for the loss of jobs or Muslims for the rise of terrorism.
False equivalency: The conservative media often creates false equivalencies between different groups of people. For example, they may claim that the views of white supremacists are just as valid as the views of civil rights activists.

Rothbaum argues that these three strategies are designed to divide the American people and make it difficult for them to unite behind progressive policies. He believes that the conservative media is a threat to democracy because it is undermining the ability of the American people to govern themselves.

There is a great deal of evidence to support Rothbaum's analysis. For example, a study by the Pew Research Center found that Republicans and Democrats are increasingly divided on a wide range of issues. The study found that Republicans and Democrats are more likely to hold opposing views on issues such as climate change, immigration, and gun control.

Another study by the Shorenstein Center on Media, Politics and Public Policy at Harvard University found that the conservative media is more likely to use fear-mongering and scapegoating than the liberal media. The study found that the conservative media is more likely to portray immigrants as criminals and Muslims as terrorists.

Polarization is a major problem in the United States today. The conservative media is playing a key role in promoting polarization by using fear-mongering, scapegoating, and false equivalency. This is a threat to democracy because it is undermining the ability of the American people to govern themselves.

We need to be aware of the tactics that the conservative media is using to promote polarization. We need to be able to identify and challenge these tactics. We need to stand up for the truth and for the values of democracy.

Party Wars: Polarization and the Politics of National Policy Making (The Julian J. Rothbaum Distinguished Lecture Series Book 10)

by Barbara Sinclair

4.8 out of 5