Biology
The Dynamics of Party Primaries and Candidate Radicalization
Quick fact
In the United States, most Congressional districts are so safe that the primary election is effectively the de facto general election, meaning that the same small, deeply ideological primary electorate can decisively push candidates toward radical positions in almost every district.
Why this is interesting
Have you ever wondered why so many political candidates seem to take extreme positions that later appear to be out of step with the general public? The answer may lie not in the candidates themselves, but in the process they go through just to get on the ballot.