Tectonic Political Ideology

AP US Government and Politics

In 2004, nearly half of the American public held a roughly equal mix of liberal and conservative viewpoints. Since then, Americans have become more ideologically polarized. Today, what portion of Americans have a roughly equal mix of liberal and conservative views?

1. How accurate was your prediction?

2. What most surprised you about this data?

3. What is the big trend you see in the data?

4. Why do you think this is happening?

5. What is one consequence of this change?

6. Explain whether this is good news:

7. How do you think the media contributes to this growing ideological polarization?

8. What is one question you have about this data?

9. How many people do you hang out with who have a political ideology opposite your own?

10. Is that a good or a bad thing?

11. How do you think politicians react and respond to this growing ideological polarization?

12. Explain how this growing ideological polarization impacts U.S. House races differently from the race for the US president?

13. Overall, is America becoming more liberal or conservative?

14. What will this data look like in another 20 years?

15. Explain which single issue is currently the most highly polarized in America?

16. How do you think this information contributed to the rise of Trump?

Learning Extension

Check out this super-cool Pew Research interactive on ideological polarization in the U.S.

Action Extension

I have a cousin who is very liberal on gun control (he wants there to be very tough limits on guns) but is very conservative on abortion (he wants a very tough ban on abortion). He holds a mix or liberal and conservative viewpoints, and today he is a rarity. Interview your friends, family, acquaintances, even frenemies and try to find one person who holds a mix of liberal and conservative views. We'll call them a conserberal or, better yet, a libervative. Ask them to help you understand how they have avoided ideological polarization. Share your experience online or in class.

Bonus Charts*