What is ideological sorting?

The process by which liberals have gathered in the Democratic Party and conservatives in the Republican Party, so that party label and ideology now coincide far more closely than they once did.

Which two groups have all but disappeared from Congress, and why does that matter?

Conservative southern Democrats and liberal north-eastern Republicans have gone, and with them the overlapping moderates who used to assemble cross-party coalitions.

Give evidence of polarisation within Congress.

Party-line voting has risen sharply, major bipartisan legislation has become rare, and analysis of roll-call votes shows almost no ideological overlap between the two parties.

How does the drawing of district boundaries contribute to polarisation?

Safe districts mean the general election is a formality, so representatives answer only to their own party's activists and have no incentive to appeal across the aisle.

AQA A-Level Politics 7152

The Nature and Sources of the British Constitution

Topic overview Codified and Uncodified Constitutions The Rule of Law and Parliamentary Sovereignty Magna Carta and the Early Constitution The Parliament Acts of 1911 and 1949 Individual and Collective Rights Constitutional Change since 1997 and Codification

The Structure and Role of Parliament

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The Prime Minister and Cabinet

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The UK Judiciary

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Devolution

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Democracy and Participation

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Elections and Referendums

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Political Parties in the UK

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Pressure Groups in the UK

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The UK and the European Union

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Congress

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The US Presidency

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The US Supreme Court

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US Elections and Direct Democracy

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Political Parties in the USA

Topic overview The Ideologies of the Two Main Parties Party Traditions and Organisation Polarisation and Ideological Sorting Factionalism and the Decline or Renewal Debate Two-Party Dominance and Ballot Access Third Parties and the Spoiler Role

Pressure Groups in the USA

Topic overview Pressure Groups and Political Pluralism Think Tanks, Lobbying and Group Methods PACs and Super PACs The Revolving Door, Iron Triangles and Group Power

Civil Rights in the USA

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Comparative Politics: Theoretical Approaches

Topic overview Structural, Rational and Cultural Approaches

Constitutions and Legislatures Compared

Topic overview The Two Constitutions Compared Devolution and Federalism Compared Parliament and Congress: Powers and Chambers Committees, Scrutiny and Control of Money

The Executives Compared

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The Judiciaries Compared

Topic overview The Two Supreme Courts: Appointment, Tenure and Powers Judicial Impact, Activism and Restraint

Electoral and Party Systems Compared

Topic overview Electing Legislatures and Executives Compared Campaign Finance, Direct Democracy and Voting Compared Party Systems and Third-Party Barriers Party Organisation and Unity Compared Minor Parties and the Ideological Spectrum

Pressure Groups Compared

Topic overview Access Points and Group Power Compared Group Methods and Targets Compared

Civil Rights Compared

Topic overview How Rights Are Protected in Each Country Security, Guns and Reforming the Rights Framework

Liberalism

Topic overview The Individual and Individualism Limited Government and Foundational Equality Classical Liberalism and the Night-Watchman State Modern Liberalism and the Continuity Debate Locke and Mill Rawls, Wollstonecraft and Friedan

Conservatism

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Socialism

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NationalismIdeology

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FeminismIdeology

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MulticulturalismIdeology

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AnarchismIdeology

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EcologismIdeology

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Political Parties in the USA

Polarisation and Ideological Sorting

3 things to know
Paper 2

Overview

Recall questions on what polarisation and ideological sorting mean, the groups that have vanished from Congress and the evidence within it.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

Your recallNot started

Key term

Define political polarisation.

Key term

How do primaries drive polarisation?

Key term

How has polarisation changed the confirmation of judges?

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

1
Define political polarisation.
Model answer
Polarisation is the movement of the two parties towards opposite ideological poles, leaving less common ground and fewer moderates between them.
2
What is ideological sorting?
Model answer
The process by which liberals have gathered in the Democratic Party and conservatives in the Republican Party, so that party label and ideology now coincide far more closely than they once did.
3
Which two groups have all but disappeared from Congress, and why does that matter?
Model answer
Conservative southern Democrats and liberal north-eastern Republicans have gone, and with them the overlapping moderates who used to assemble cross-party coalitions.
4
Give evidence of polarisation within Congress.
Model answer
Party-line voting has risen sharply, major bipartisan legislation has become rare, and analysis of roll-call votes shows almost no ideological overlap between the two parties.
5
How do primaries drive polarisation?
Model answer
Nominations are decided by small, ideologically committed electorates, so members fear a primary challenge from their own flank more than defeat by the other party.
6
How does the drawing of district boundaries contribute to polarisation?
Model answer
Safe districts mean the general election is a formality, so representatives answer only to their own party's activists and have no incentive to appeal across the aisle.

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The Nature and Sources of the British Constitution

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The UK Judiciary

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AA US court can strike down a hostile law using the constitution.

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Veto means formal rejection of legislation.

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