History
The Evolution of Political Polarization in Modern Democracies
Quick fact
In the 1960s, the average difference in ideological positions between American Democrats and Republicans was small enough that many voters could be considered moderates. Today, that gap has grown to the point where the parties are nearly as far apart as the two ends of the political spectrum, a shift seen across many democracies.
Why this is interesting
Your parents might have had friends from the other party, but today, political differences can feel like living in different worlds. Why has politics become so much more than just a difference of opinion?