What does political polarization refer to?

Political polarization refers to the growing divide in political views between different parties or ideological groups. This phenomenon occurs when individuals within a society or a political system become more extreme in their beliefs and more partisan in their alignments, leading to significant differences in opinions on major political issues. As a result of this polarization, there is often a decrease in compromise and an increase in political hostility among opposing groups, making it challenging to reach consensus on various policies.

The term highlights not only the differences in beliefs and policies between political parties but also the emotional and social distances that can develop between supporters of different ideologies. This divide can have profound impacts on governance, public discourse, and the overall functioning of the political system.