Divided Nation

In recent decades, US politics has become increasingly fraught and divided. This book evaluates the current state of American democracy, centered on the theme of polarization and dysfunction, through key policy, behavioral, and institutional issues. These dynamics and debates include increasing partisanship, declining public trust in institutions, the nationalization of politics, politicization of media and the Courts, outside interests’ influence in Congress, election administration, and more. Authored by an expert group of contributors working at the cutting edge of political science research, this volume provides in-depth analysis of the causes, mechanisms, and consequences of these problems, and offers possible solutions to them.

• Provides in-depth analyses of issues in American politics centered around thematic focus on polarization and democratic dysfunction.
• Meets the need for an accessible examination of the problems of polarization and democracy in the United States.

Jamie L. Carson is the UGA Athletic Association Professor of Public & International Affairs II in the Department of Political Science at the University of Georgia. His most recent books are Nationalized Politics: Evaluating Electoral Politics Across Time (2024) and The Politics of Congressional Elections (2024; 11th edition).

Ryan D. Williamson is an Assistant Professor of Political Science at the University of Wyoming. He received his doctorate from the University of Georgia and his undergraduate degree from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. He previous served as an APSA Congressional Fellow in the US Senate Committee on Rules and Administration and as a governance fellow with the R Street Institute. He is co-author of Nationalized Politics: Evaluating Electoral Politics Across Time (2024).

"Carson and Williamson have gathered an important set of chapters, covering a wide range of the American political setting, that achieve two goals. They span a wide range of American politics, and that brings the whole into context. Second, each chapter leads readers to think deeply about American democracy and about the threats and concerns being faced today. A book for today’s times and a book that makes readers think makes it a first-rate achievement."

John Aldrich, Duke University

"A timely and insightful volume that brings together leading scholars to diagnose the causes and consequences of democratic dysfunction and polarization, offering insightful analysis and practical solutions across American institutions, behavior, and public policy."

Janet Box-Steffensmeier, Ohio State University

"Divided Nation is a welcome addition for students and scholars of American politics. The volume goes deep into the most pressing questions about the challenges of governing in America today—and does so via engaging and accessible chapters by recognized experts in the field."

Sarah Binder, George Washington University and The Brookings Institution