Partisan Hostility and American Democracy

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The book provides a nuanced evaluation of partisan animosity's impact on American democracy, particularly from 2019 to 2021. It argues that while strong partisanship shapes political behaviors, its effects are conditional, being most potent when politicians deliver clear messages and when issues lack personal stakes. The authors contend that although partisan hostility has harmed US politics by politicizing non-political matters and hindering compromise, it is not an existential threat. Ultimately, the future of democracy hinges more on political leaders' actions than on voter sentiments.