Final answer:
Congress is so partisan today due to factors like party polarization and gerrymandering. Redistricting reform and fostering bipartisanship can help reduce partisanship. While drawing strong lines between parties has advantages, excessive partisanship can hinder effective governance.
Step-by-step explanation:
Congress is so partisan today due to various factors such as party polarization, gerrymandering, and the rise of ideologically motivated candidates. This has resulted in Republicans and Democrats becoming increasingly dissimilar from one another, with fewer moderates in each party. The absence of bipartisanship and the prevalence of divided government have made it challenging for elected officials to achieve their policy goals.
To reduce partisanship, some possible solutions include implementing redistricting reform, such as having independent commissions draw districts instead of legislators. This can help eliminate gerrymandering and promote fair representation. Encouraging cross-party socialization and fostering a culture of compromise and bipartisanship can also help reduce partisanship
While there are advantages to drawing strong lines between Republicans and Democrats, such as providing distinct choices for voters and ensuring competitive elections, it is important to strike a balance. Excessive partisanship can hinder effective governance and make it difficult to find common ground on important issues.