Political Polarization

Political polarization – the vast and growing gap between liberals and conservatives, Republicans and Democrats – is a defining feature of American politics today, and one the Pew Research Center has documented for many years.

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Pew Research CenterJune 12, 2014

Republicans and Democrats are more divided along ideological lines – and partisan acrimony is deeper and more extensive – than at any point in recent history. And these trends manifest themselves in myriad ways, both in politics and in everyday life.

Pew Research CenterOctober 21, 2014

When it comes to getting news about politics and government, liberals and conservatives inhabit different worlds. There is little overlap in the news sources they turn to and trust.

Pew Research CenterJune 26, 2014

Our latest political typology sorts voters into cohesive groups based on their attitudes and values and provides a field guide for the constantly changing political landscape.

Pew Research Center

All Publications from this Topic

ReportJanuary 24, 2020

Many Democrats and Republicans hold divergent views of President Donald Trump's withholding of military aid to Ukraine. But in today’s fragmented news media environment, party identification may not be the only fault line.

ReportJanuary 24, 2020

As the U.S. enters a heated 2020 presidential election year, Republicans and Democrats place their trust in two nearly inverse news media environments.

Fact TankJanuary 8, 2020

Young people in the United States express far more skeptical views of America’s global standing than older adults.

ReportDecember 12, 2019

An exploration of more than 50 Pew Research Center surveys confirms the overwhelming impact party identification has on Americans’ trust in the news media. And divides emerge within party – particularly the Republican Party – based on how strongly people approve of Trump.

Fact TankNovember 15, 2019

Americans agree that religion’s role in public life is ebbing. But while Republicans largely lament the trend, Democrats are split in their reactions.

Fact TankNovember 12, 2019

Democrats and Republicans have starkly different priorities when it comes to the nation's immigration policies.

Fact TankOctober 28, 2019

Public opinion on Brexit aligns with attitudes toward the EU, immigration and culture.

ReportOctober 23, 2019

The findings of this analysis paint a nuanced picture of just how prevalent political speech is among U.S. adults on Twitter.

Fact TankOctober 7, 2019

The Supreme Court begins a new term on Oct. 7, taking up cases on issues including guns and abortion. As the term begins, here are five facts about the court.

Fact TankSeptember 6, 2019

Partisans have different levels of confidence when it comes to the type of personnel who hold government jobs – presidential appointees or career employees.

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Political Polarization

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