America is divided. The message that emerged as a key, yet not fully developed, rallying point during the Obama years was harnessed as a full political battle cry during the 2016, 2020, and 2024 presidential campaigns and the midterms, legislative fights, and major news cycles in between. Increasingly voters hear that it is “us versus them” and the stakes “have never been higher.”
We assume that America cleanly breaks along conservative/liberal or Republican/Democratic fault lines. The dominant narratives describe a country where roughly half the nation falls neatly into one camp or the other. But the reality is much more complicated.
To unpack this reality, SPN conducted research which aims to find new ways to look at the political landscape in order to build effective coalitions and make progress for all Americans.
See the complete report>>> | See the executive summary>>>
Beyond Polarization in Action
Beyond Polarization – Full Report
The primary goal of this research is to investigate the diverse viewpoints held by voting-age citizens on a range of areas, moving away from the common narrative that emphasizes polarization of political ideology. This narrative, although significant, often represents the views of a fraction of the electorate, potentially oversimplifying the complexity of
public opinion.
Beyond Polarization – Executive Summary
The research, which surveyed nearly 3,000 registered voters, segments the electorate not by traditional political affiliations but by core values and attitudes. This approach offers a fresh perspective on voter behavior and provides a pathway to reduce political divisiveness.
Contact Information
Lura Forcum
Study author and Director of Marketing Communications at State Policy Network
lforcum@spn.org