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There’s nothing new about political polarization in America—but the deep divisions we see today have led to a “very dangerous” political moment, Harvard sociologist and political scientist Theda Skocpol said in a recent podcast interview with Al Roberts, director of the UMass Amherst School of Public Policy.
Skocpol, the Victor S. Thomas Professor of Government and Sociology at Harvard, spoke with Roberts during a recent visit to campus for the tenth anniversary celebration of the UMass Amherst Public Engagement Project. Skocpol delivered the keynote address, “Understanding US Politics Today—and the Implications for Higher Education.”
In the podcast interview, Skocpol offered a historical perspective on American political polarization, from the regional divisions in the Civil War era to what she called the “asymmetric polarization” of today, which began with the Republican party’s steady movement to the right in the 1980s.
She also discussed the policy implications of this trend, particularly on issues such as immigration, healthcare, and education, and speculated on how long this profound polarization will last. “That depends in part on younger people deciding that they’re going to participate in politics, that they’re going to vote,” Skocpol said. “The bigger threat in all of this is cynicism and withdrawal. Many Americans look at what’s happening in Washington, DC, and say to themselves, ‘I don’t want anything to do with that.’”
About the School of Public Policy: Established in 2016, the UMass Amherst School of Public Policy is a hub for research and teaching, preparing students for leadership in public service. The program’s focuses include social change and public policy related to science and technology.
— Maureen Turner, communications manager, School of Public Policy
Photo by Dan Desrochers
