Final answer:
Gerrymandering, the act of redrawing district boundaries to political advantage, has contributed to increased political polarization and a decline in moderate representation in American politics. The use of advanced technology and data has refined this practice, which is argued to contribute to legislative dysfunction and decreased political compromise.
Step-by-step explanation:
Political observers have identified gerrymandering as a significant issue in American politics. This practice involves the manipulation of legislative district boundaries to benefit specific candidates or groups, which has been made more precise with advances in GIS technology, data collection, and algorithmic analysis. Politicians in gerrymandered districts often serve a narrow portion of their constituency, leading to extreme views and a lack of incentive to engage with opposing viewpoints.
Despite some states having long-standing single-party dominance without extreme polarization, modern day gerrymandering has contributed to the growing political division and reduced moderation in Congress. The increasing sophistication of gerrymandering, including the use of computer-aided mapping, has resulted in fewer moderate politicians and an increased ideological divide within the political landscape.
The negative consequences of extreme partisan gerrymandering are evident. It often leads to legislative inaction, as seen in the 113th Congress, and a decreased ability to respond effectively to national crises. To combat these issues, some states are considering reforms to the redistricting process to create fairer and more competitive districts.