Polarization in Congress A Dichotomy of Unity and...

Polarization in Congress: A Dichotomy of Unity and Division within the Legislative Branch POLARIZATION OVERVIEW: Polarization occurs when members of both political parties consistently vote along ideological lines. Ideological differences in Congress today are quite staggering. Congressmen have increasingly been moving away from moderate stances and adhering more to party ideologies. The issue with polarization arises when there are two incredibly differing ideologies where both sides feel so strongly about their view that compromise is unfeasible. Some Congressmen able to adhere to a coherent personal ideological beliefs, but there is a growing number of Congressmen that vote based on the party issue positions or on how their†¦show more content†¦With polarization, people vote for clear ideologies where they don’t necessarily agree with all of the party’s stances. Thus, they are picking the lesser of two evils. â€Å"has been branded a ‘do-nothing’ institution, fraught with political conflict and weakened by partisan gridlock† p. 140 Failure to demand action on pieces of legislation through scheduling debates and vote unwillingness to compromise Legislation will be passed in the House with a Republican majority but then will be