Contemporary Politics: The Divided Spectrum

These flashcards cover key vocabulary related to contemporary politics and the concept of political polarization.

Affective Polarization

The phenomenon where individuals develop strong emotional reactions against members of the opposing political party.

Gerrymandering

The manipulation of electoral district boundaries to favor one party over another.

In-group Bias

The tendency to favor members of one’s own group over those in other groups, often leading to negative perceptions of the latter.

Media Bubbles

Environments created by media where users are exposed primarily to views that align with their own, reinforcing existing biases.

Political Polarization

The division of political attitudes to ideological extremes; a situation where political opinions move away from the center.

Partisan Sorting

The alignment of political affiliation with specific social and cultural identities, leading to increased geographic and ideological divisions.

Regional Alienation

The feeling of disconnection felt by certain regions, especially in response to federal policies perceived as not representing their interests.

Civil War

A conflict between groups within the same country, often intensified by polarization and severe political divisions.

Populism

A political approach that seeks to represent the interests of ordinary people, often against a perceived elite.

Trust in Government

The confidence citizens have in their government to act in their best interests; currently at an all-time low in the U.S.