APSS: How Polarization Ends

You’re invited to join Avidit Acharya, Professor of Political Science at Stanford University, for an American Politics Speaker Series discussion sponsored by the Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation and the Center for American Political Studies.

Registration is encouraged but not required. This event series will not be recorded.

This event is open to Harvard ID holders only. Lunch will be served.

Abstract

The United States is experiencing a period of intense political polarization, with the two major parties standing further apart on policies today than at any other time in the last hundred years. But this is not the first time in American history that politics have been polarized. Two other periods of profound polarization were the period 1860-1928, roughly corresponding to the Third and Fourth Party Systems, and the period 1790-1824, roughly corresponding to the First Party System. These periods, both of which ended with new party systems replacing the old ones, provide us the opportunity to closely examine the processes by which polarization ends. When we look at these instances of polarization ending, what do we learn? What should we expect about how our current period of polarization might end—if it is to ever end?

About the Series

The United States is a crossroads. How can Americans connect to each other in deep and meaningful ways, despite holding drastically different political world views? What are the causes and consequences of our nation’s historic levels of partisan polarization? Just how far can democratic backsliding go? The American Politics Speaker Series (APSS) aims to bring together scholars who are doing research on these and other important questions. Hosted jointly with the Center for American Political Studies and chaired by Professors Benjamin Schneer and Justin de Benedictis-Kessner, each session will highlight a scholar whose research is at the forefront of the study of American politics.

Event Details

The Ash Center encourages individuals with disabilities to participate in its events. Should you wish to enquire about an accommodation, please contact our events team at info@ash.harvard.edu prior to the event.