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.

Featured Publications

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.

Media & NewsOctober 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

Pew Research CenterNovember 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.

Catholic Democrats, Republicans at odds on border wall

Pew Research CenterJanuary 24, 2019

On a number of issues, Catholic partisans often express opinions more in line with their political parties' positions than with their church's teachings.

U.S. PoliticsJanuary 10, 2017

Pew Research Center President Michael Dimock examines the changes – some profound, some subtle – that the U.S. experienced during Barack Obama’s presidency.

Global Migration and DemographyDecember 21, 2016

In 2016, Pew Research Center examined an array of topics in America – from immigration to the growing divide between Republicans and Democrats – as well as many from around the globe.

Wide partisan divides over same-sex wedding services and public restroom use by transgender people

U.S. PoliticsOctober 4, 2016

Contentious debates have emerged on whether wedding business must offer service to same-sex couples, and over use of public restrooms by transgender people.

ReligionSeptember 27, 2016

Pew Research Center has surveyed Jewish adults in Israel and the U.S. and has found deep bonds between them. Nevertheless, their experiences and perspectives are very different.

One-third of white evangelical Trump backers support him because he is not Clinton

ReligionSeptember 23, 2016

Nearly four-in-ten white evangelical voters who support Trump mention that they do so at least in part because he is not Clinton.

Political Polarization

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