I recently completed reading the book “Why we are polarized” by the author Ezra Klein.
In this book, Klein tries to answer the question of why American politics has become so polarized in recent years. He does so by tracing the history of political polarization in the United States, starting with the Civil War.
Klein argues that there are three main factors that have contributed to increasing polarization: demographic change, geographic sorting, and changes in media.
First, Klein discusses the demographic change. He points to data showing that America is becoming more racially and ethnically diverse.
This is leading to an increase in the number of people who identify as Democrats.
Second, Klein argues that geographic sorting plays a role in polarization.
He cites data showing that people are increasingly choosing to live in places where there are like-minded people.
This has led to more politically homogeneous communities, which are more likely to be polarized.
Finally, Klein discusses changes in media. He argues that the rise of cable news and the internet has led to the emergence of echo chambers, where people only consume information that reinforces their existing beliefs.
Klein’s book is a well-researched and persuasive argument for why American politics has become more polarized in recent years.
I would recommend it to anyone who is interested in understanding the current state of American politics.