This essay is more qualitative than the two previous data-heavy essays. It considers the larger consequences of party sorting for the conduct of American politics. The elites of today’s parties are far apart. Larger policy differences produce greater animosity toward the opposing elites, greater difficulty in finding common ground— and, with the close party balance, less interest in doing so. The natural result is an increased likelihood of gridlock and stalemate. Sorted parties please similarly sorted minorities of the American electorate, but not the majority that remains relatively unsorted.
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