Honors College Theses
Publication Date
4-1-2022
Major
Political Science (B.A.)
Document Type and Release Option
Thesis (open access)
Faculty Mentor
Dr. Patrick Novotny
Abstract
This paper examines the state of political polarization in the U.S. and offers an explanation as to why the United States has turned away from bipartisanship, a founding principle outlined by the U.S. Constitution. The literature points towards a geographical rearranging and accumulation of U.S. citizens by political affiliation originating in the late 1960s and early 1970s. I ask: to what extent does political homogeneity of Congressional districts affect the bipartisanship of their representatives in Congress? I observe a significant relationship between geographical accumulation of politically homogeneous Americans and bipartisanship in Congress. To establish a causal relationship, I perform a time series regression analysis of political homogeneity by Congressional district and the bipartisanship of said district’s representative. I find that as political homogeneity increases, the bipartisanship of the district’s representative decreases.
Thesis Summary
This study examines the relationship between political homogeneity of congressional districts and the bipartisanship of these districts' representatives in Congress. I find that political homogeneity and bipartisanship have a significant negative relationship. This sheds light on why the United States is experiencing a period of such intense political polarization.
Recommended Citation
Moore, Brigman T., "Let California be California and Let Texas be Texas: How Political Homogeneity Drives Polarization in Congress" (2022). Honors College Theses. 691.
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/honors-theses/691
