Question

Choose all of the major reasons for why Congress has become more politically polarized in recent years.

a) Presidential intervention.
b) Mobilization of liberal interest groups.
c) Population clustering.
d) Gerrymandering.
e) Mobilization of conservative interest groups.
f) Strengthening of party leadership in Congress.

Answer 1

Congress has become more polarized due to factors such as gerrymandering, the mobilization of interest groups, and the strengthening of party leadership. These elements have contributed to the increased ideological division within Congress.

Step-by-step explanation:

Congress has become more politically polarized in recent years for a variety of reasons. Key factors contributing to this polarization include gerrymandering, the mobilization of both liberal and conservative interest groups, and the strengthening of party leadership in Congress. All of these factors have played a role in reducing the number of moderate voices and increasing the division between the major political parties.

Gerrymandering, or the deliberate manipulation of district boundaries, has created safer seats for both parties, leading to a situation where politicians need only appeal to the base of their party rather than to a broad coalition of voters. The mobilization of interest groups has also contributed to polarization as they push for legislation that aligns strictly with their ideologies, further dividing the political spectrum. Additionally, stronger party leadership within Congress enforces party discipline, encouraging legislators to vote in line with their party and discouraging cross-party collaborations.