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You’re conflating two things: the polarization within the Congress and outside it. Before, when people didn’t have access the way they do now, the small connec
by rue 11y ago
You’re conflating two things: the polarization within the Congress and outside it.
Before, when people didn’t have access the way they do now, the small connected elite of politicians and other decisionmakers were able to coerce and smooth out issues for their constituency. Now, for better or worse, the people’s views are being enforced more directly.
- hga 11y agoI'm using the Congress and Presidential elections because they show to some degree the revealed preferences of the people, I don't trust polls very much, especially as polling organizations are finding it harder and harder to get responses and as people continue switching to cell phones. As for "access", one counter WRT to this study's claimed time frame is the end of the "Fairness Doctrine", which severely stifled radio and TV political discussion from not all that long after its promulgation in 1949 until its end in 1987 (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fairness_Doctrine https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fairness_Doctrine). Conservative talk radio, Rush Limbaugh being the best known example, became a major thing immediately afterwards. That channel, outside the control of the "small connected elite" became a driver of politics well before 1996.