In a recent interview, Professor William D. Schreckhise from the University of Arkansas’s Department of Political Science delved into the intricate dynamics of political polarization and incivility. He highlighted that while political polarization itself is not a new phenomenon, the intensity of ideological divergence between Republicans and Democrats has escalated over the past few decades. However, Schreckhise’s research focuses more on incivility, particularly how state legislators interact with one another. By surveying lobbyists across all 50 states, Schreckhise and his team gauged the level of civility within state legislatures. Their findings revealed stark differences between states, with some exhibiting high levels of cooperation, while others experienced more contentious relationships among legislators. Notably, Schreckhise emphasized that incivility isn’t solely a recent development but rather a persistent issue deserving of careful examination. While his research doesn’t offer longitudinal data, ongoing surveys aim to provide deeper insights into the evolving landscape of political incivility across different states.
