How Politicians Polarize - (Chicago Studies in American Politics) by Mia Costa (Hardcover)

About the Book

"What does representation look like when focused on "othering" the opposing party? How do constituents react to such representation? Is policy responsiveness still the cornerstone of American representative democracy when negative partisan identities motivate political attitudes? How Politicians Polarize introduces a theory of representation to fit the contemporary context of polarization and negative partisanship. Using a series of survey experiments on elected officials, candidates, and individuals in the mass public, as well as large-scale text data of congressional newsletters and tweets, the book examines how and why politicians make partisan, out-group appeals and assess the consequences for the quality of political representation. Costa shows that even though Americans do not favor expressions of partisan animosity by politicians, and politicians do not think voters reward such expressions, the broader context of affective polarization nonetheless makes such behavior a powerful tool in representation. The findings challenge the popular notion that Americans are motivated more by their partisan identities than by policy congruence, but also illuminate how negative forms of representation are indeed still rewarded by the political ecosystem and the adverse effects this has on representative democracy"--

Book Synopsis

A fresh examination of political representation in an era of negative partisanship.

What does representation look like when politicians focus on "othering" the opposing party rather than the policy interests of their constituents? How do voters react to negative partisan rhetoric? And is policy responsiveness still the cornerstone of American representative democracy?

In How Politicians Polarize, Mia Costa draws on survey experiments, analysis of congressional newsletters and tweets, and data on fundraising and media coverage to examine how and why politicians rely so often on negative partisan attacks. Costa shows that most Americans do not like negative rhetoric, and politicians know this. Nonetheless, these kinds of attacks can reap powerful rewards from national media, donors, and party elites. Costa's findings challenge the popular notion that Americans are motivated more by their partisan identities than by policy representation. Her research illuminates how the political ecosystem rewards negative representation and how this affects the quality of American democracy.

Review Quotes

"How Politicians Polarize reveals how the modern political rhetoric of us versus them, of this group against that group, shapes how we are represented. Negative partisanship has been the hallmark of American politics over the first three decades of the twenty-first century. Costa shows us why and how our representatives create and sustain that as a matter of political strategy, despite voters wanting to hear more about what representatives will do to address real problems. A must-read."--Stephen Ansolabehere Harvard University

"How Politicians Polarize reveals a divide between what politicians do and what people truly want. While Americans themselves reject animosity, Costa shows the process by which politicians are nevertheless rewarded for negative attacks. Her multi-method account offers both assurance that Americans disdain this 'othering' but also a dark warning for how negative representation becomes a dominant strain within US politics."--Samara Klar coauthor of "Independent Politics"

"How Politicians Polarize offers a path-breaking shift in our understanding of representation. It introduces negative representation: when elites focus on opposing the other party rather than advancing policy on behalf of their constituents. Costa's wide-ranging examination reveals how this pernicious practice stems, not from voters' preferences, but rather from the media ecosystem, non-competitive elections, progressively ambitious politicians, and partisan misperceptions. Costa offers remarkable insight in explaining that a 'way out' would be privileging voters' desires over perceived systemic incentives."--James N. Druckman coeditor of "Partisan Hostility and American Democracy"

About the Author

Mia Costa is assistant professor in the Department of Government at Dartmouth College, where she is also a faculty associate in the Program in Quantitative Social Science. She has published articles in the American Journal of Political Science, Politics & Gender, Political Research Quarterly, and Political Behavior, among others.