What are the roots of the current divisiveness of American politics/discourse?

[BlueSwan]

Good question.

First we should ask ourselves whether this is an American phenomenon or an international phenomenon, as we should seek national explanations for international phenomena.

However, while the rise of the populist right (or alt-right if you will) based on working class whites abandoning the left for politics based on fear of immigrants and globalization is DEFINITELY an international phenomenon, this is only part of the explanation of the polarization we see in american politics. As such, I do think we need to at least partly look at national explanations for this.

As late as the 80's, even while much of the left hated Reagan, bipartisan collaboration was still normal in the house and especially the senate. Equally so, both conservative democrats and liberal republicans were still a normal phenomenon - a phenomenon that is almost nonexistent today, at least at the national level.

As much as I find it problematic to blame one side of the aisle for this, I feel that the burden of the blame should indeed be put on republicans in congress (kickstarted by Newt Gingrich under Clinton) and the rise of right wing talk radio and Foxnews. The divisiveness started by this has been exacerbated immensely by social media bubbles during the last decade.

Looking at the poll, I do not believe that economic inequality has much of anything to do with the increased polarization. Nor do I believe that it had anything to do with the election of Trump.