Polarization and Authoritarianism: How Patterns of Polarization and Democratic Backsliding Have Been Realized in the United States

Author: Cian Young

Field of Study: Social Sciences

Program Affiliation: Source Project Research Program

Faculty Mentors: Matthew Cole

Easel: 83

Timeslot: Morning

Abstract: Increasing political polarization in the twenty-first century led researchers to establish that democracies are weakened by sharply divided electorates and legislatures since opposing groups become willing to tolerate undemocratic behavior to gain power. This research aims to evaluate how American affective polarization in the twenty-first century led to the polarization of the two parties in the 2024 presidential election, and how this election changed this discussion of polarization. After analysis of the literature from the 2010s that connected polarization and authoritarianism, exit polls and other data from the 2024 election, and Donald Trump’s subsequent presidency, findings suggest that trends of polarization from the last two decades steadily increased in the 2024 election, and authoritarian behavior within Donald Trump’s presidency reflect the realization of early twenty-first century research in the United States. This research builds a better understanding of modern American political polarization as authoritarianism becomes a greater concern.