Constitutional Crisis, Norm Derogation, and the Broader Impact of Partisan Polarization in Contemporary American Politics

Abstract

Michael T. Oswald and John D. Robertson introduce the broader impact of partisan polarization in contemporary American politics and lay the foundation for the remaining chapters of this volume. They offer some contextual perspective on the important interactive effect of affective partisan polarization and the impact polarization has on constructing pathways to opening conflict between opposing partisan interests. The literature and empirical evidence reviewed in this chapter compel the conclusion that it is these pathways that fuel and propel not a constitutional crisis but rather the persistent and common strategy of norm derogation in the American political system.