Congress has become more conservative in recent years, especially the House of Representatives. This shift came in tandem with a general shift toward more polarization in both chambers
Define polarization, and explain how it has been exacerbated by the most recent reapportionment. How has the public reacted to the ideological divide in Congress?
Answer: An ideal response will:
1. Define polarization as the extent to which liberals and conservatives take stances at the far ends of the ideological spectrum.
2. Partisan redistricting to create safe seats results in more ideological battles during the primary process. Party activists, who tend to be more ideological than voters in general, put up candidates who tend to be more extreme. Party moderates are less likely to be elected, and thus the abyss between the two parties in Congress widens.
3. Congress's approval rating hit historical lows in late 2012.
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