Final answer:
Gerrymandering is the intentional shifting or drawing of district lines with the intent of excluding members of a political party or a racial/ethnic group. This process regularly produces sharp political conflicts because it allows the political party in power to manipulate district boundaries to their advantage, making it easier for their candidates to win elections. Gerrymandering can result in districts that disproportionately favor one party, leading to a lack of competition and less representation for certain groups.
Step-by-step explanation:
Gerrymandering is the intentional shifting or drawing of district lines with the intent of excluding members of a political party or a racial/ethnic group. This process regularly produces sharp political conflicts because it allows the political party in power to manipulate district boundaries to their advantage, making it easier for their candidates to win elections. Gerrymandering can result in districts that disproportionately favor one party, leading to a lack of competition and less representation for certain groups. It undermines the principles of fair representation and can perpetuate political polarization.
One example of gerrymandering is the use of 'packing' or 'cracking' techniques. 'Packing' involves concentrating opposition voters into a small number of districts, giving the dominant party overwhelming victories in the remaining districts. 'Cracking' involves spreading opposition voters across multiple districts, diluting their voting power and making it difficult for them to win.
Overall, the redrawing of district lines through gerrymandering can create an imbalance of political power, erode trust in the democratic system, and hinder the fair representation of diverse communities.