The American Political Science Association has appointed a task force to study negotiating agreement in politics. A sub-group, charged with investigating the causes and consequences of polarization, has issued this 35-page report. It is authored by Michael Barber and Nolan McCarty.

The report examines various explanations for polarization, including: (1) a polarized electorate; (2) southern realignment; (3) gerrymandering; (4) primary elections; (5) economic inequality; (6) money in politics; (7) media environment; (8) changes internal to Congress, such as rules changes, majority party agenda control, party pressures, and the breakdown of bi-partisan norms.

Michael Barber and Nolan McCarty are both at Princeton University. Barber is a PhD candidate whose dissertation, “Political Ideology, Campaign Contributions, and Legislative Polarization” is in the process of becoming a book. McCarthy is a political science professor and has written the book, “Polarized America: the Dance of Political Ideology and Unequal Riches”. He is the author of several other books as well.

The conclusion to the APSA sub-group study includes this sentence: “The evidence undermines the common arguments that reforming legislative districting or primary elections will materially reduce polarization.” Thanks to Rick Hasen for the link.