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Partisan voters treat politics and elections like a competitive sports rivalry

Miller, Patrick R. (2015) Partisan voters treat politics and elections like a competitive sports rivalry. USApp– American Politics and Policy Blog (24 Apr 2015). Website.

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Abstract

The rise of political polarization in the U.S. government has been mirrored by a similar trend of growing animosity between people who support different parties. But how have these – often uncivil – rivalries arisen? Using data from two representative surveys of Americans in 2010 and 2012, Patrick R. Miller find that partisans treat politics as they would a sports rivalry, with parties viewed in terms of good and evil, with a strong motivation to win at any cost, often independent of policy outcomes. He also finds that not only are those that view politics as a rivalry the most politically knowledgeable, they are also the most vicious, uncivil, and party-driven voters. This hostile mindset is made worse by a combination of competitive elections and politicians who further fan the flames of partisan rivalries.

Item Type: Online resource (Website)
Official URL: http://blogs.lse.ac.uk/usappblog/
Additional Information: © 2015 The Author
Divisions: LSE
Subjects: H Social Sciences > HN Social history and conditions. Social problems. Social reform
H Social Sciences > HT Communities. Classes. Races
J Political Science > JK Political institutions (United States)
Date Deposited: 15 May 2015 13:03
Last Modified: 13 Sep 2024 23:48
URI: http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/id/eprint/61965

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