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Topic:

Economic Inequality, Political Inequality, and Political Polarization

Coursework Instructions:

Answer two of the essay topics below (Each essay has 1,250-word limit). Please use at least 3 academic sources for each essay.

Question 1: What are the relationships between economic inequality, political inequality, and political polarization?

Question 2: Evaluate the competing explanations of political polarization. What are the consequences of political polarization?

Coursework Sample Content Preview:

Political Polarization
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Date
Political Polarization
What Are the Relationships Between Economic Inequality, Political Inequality, And Political Polarization?
Economic inequality is defined as the unequal distribution of income and opportunity and affects all economies of the planet. Most people are often stuck in a cycle of poverty with little chance of getting out of it. Political Polarization is the extent to which opinions on an issue are opposed, thus leading in the increase in such opposition. While political inequality refers to the structural differences in the distribution of political resources. The distribution of wealth is seen to be dependent on the political affiliation of a territory. This essay will look at the relationships between these three aspects of society and how they affect each other.
Personal political identity affects views on healthcare, overall satisfaction on country's ongoings, mass shootings, job satisfaction. The majority party of a government will always push and vote for legislation that aligns with their ideals. The policies implemented may benefit those who are affiliated with the party. For example, tax policies may be designed for high earners who may be affiliated to the majority party. Or on religious beliefs that may favor specific core values of a party policies on abortion and marriage. Political policies may also lead to laws that lead to changes in incomes; the wealthier end up with more wealth while low-income earners continue losing their income leading to an increase in the income disparities of citizens. The more polarized a government is, the bigger the economic gap may end up looking. The researchers also find that the level of economic inequality was positively associated with levels of political polarization (Dolan, 2020). The political discourse going on in the country will increase political polarization, which in turn affects the policies implemented, which then affects the level and spread of inequality. The more politically polarized a country is, the higher the chances of bigger economic inequality.
In some instances, an individual's political affiliation may determine where they get employed, and internal politics may influence whether one gets a promotion or not. It may be difficult to rise up the ranks in a company whose political affiliation is opposite from the individual. Americans are more willing to exclude people with opposing political beliefs than exclude those of another race (Heltzel & Laurin, 2020). In some political settings, some individuals or groups have more influence over the political decision. These individuals usually benefit from these decisions by pushing for legislation in their favor. In many cases, the views of the poor have no impact on social spending. A polarized government brings in a situation where those who are in power will influence policy. This does not mean that the voice of the majority in the party will be heard, but that the voice of those with the most influence will be heard. Most political organizations rely on donations. In theory and in politics, it is theorized that the voice and vote of every individual matter; however, in reality, it is different. In some cases, political inequality comes in the form when individuals lose their voting rights and their voices are not heard in policy implementation.
Political inequality can also be seen in cases of minority representation. With little representation of various sections of populations like the LBTQ, native minorities, and women, their voices in policy matters will not be considered. The groups or individuals who contribute the most amounts during campaigns are the ones that will be heard when it comes to policies. What they want to be influenced will be affected into policy with little regard to the rest of the political members and voters. In some cases, groups with influence usually agitate for policies that benefit everyone, however in many cases; they usually support specific interests of the majority of the group, denying the minority a right. Remarkably, in every instance, the results suggest the views of the poor people have no impact on social spending (Bartels 2017). In many democracies, the poor rarely have a voice, and even when they form groups, without financial backing and more political muscle, their opinions on policy is barely heard nor implemented.
People who are more exposed to resources and opportunities are mostly those who are educated, and higher-income brackets end up being more politically active than those who are politically educated, which results in policies that the more advantaged ones. Political polarization occurs when people adopt increasingly opposing beliefs and attitudes towards other people with differing beliefs. When there is little polarization, people support a mixture of political beliefs and ideals, and they can support one idea without disliking another. Political polarization will affect how people socialize with each other, where they settle, and, in some cases, where they live and how they vote. One major concern is that partisan animus might spill over and affect behaviors and attitudes outside the political realm (Iyengar et al 2018). Political polarization can have positive and negative outcomes. Political polarization affects the economic inequality and political inequality of any government. Depending on the political affiliation of a person or group and whether they are affiliated with a party that is in power at the period. In the case of American politics, voters are affiliated to either one of the two major parties.
Depending on which party is running the government, policies will be created to support the ruling party. In the last few years, there has been significant polarization of Americans. Some of the policies in the last few years have been in line with the ruling majority beliefs. Policies on abortion, international trade, and taxes have increased both economic and political inequality in the country. The extreme political views of a group of people will determine the economic placing of individuals and who will influence the political decision of a country. in some cases, the political polarization can lead to gerrymandering. This division usually leads to the loss of political strength of some voters in some areas where their votes may end up being diluted.
This usually leads to political inequality, which in turn leads to economic inequality. Depending on who is running the affairs of a country and what they believe, policies that receive the most support will be of those from the majority political affiliation. The issues that affect the minorities will often be ignored. It is clear, without proper representation, issues at the grassroots will never be solved. Polarization in politics ensures that the opposing teams will never come to an agreement or a compromise. Women, natives, who form a large percentage of minorities, will not be represented in policies. The low representation, eventually leads to economic and political inequality.
In order to have their issues heard, such groups may need to come together and join one political affiliation that is in line with their beliefs and what they are trying to achieve. This further aggravates political polarization and increases political inequality.
Political polarization has been around for centuries, mutating and changing over time. Political polarization will affect how people socialize and who they interact with. With healthy political non-compromised beliefs, people will become more careful with who they interact with. This includes who is hired and who they...
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