America has a little secret. It likes segregation — the political kind.
While righteously indignant with decades of racial segregation, the nation is embracing political division more and more, even if it splits families and neighbors, according to the ground-breaking Civility Poll from Georgetown University’s Institute of Politics and Public Service.
Consider:
- A majority 60% said they and their friends “share the same political beliefs.”
- More than half, 55%, of their family and close friends vote for the same candidates.
- Nearly 6 in 10 said their buddies are in the same political party.
- Some 67% are in the same ethnic group.
- And 53% share the same religious beliefs.
“I remember,” said Battleground co-pollster Celinda Lake, “when the book ‘Applebee’s America’ came out that argued what was uniting America is that no matter what town you got off at, no matter what highway you got off of, there was an Applebee’s there no matter what the neighborhood. Now … we live in silo America.”
Her message: While the nation used to put community first, it is choosing like-mindedness first.
“Americans are increasingly moving to live among like-minded people and interacting with people similar to ourselves and this is driving society apart,” said the Democratic pollster in her analysis, which recommends people need to be “mingling” more with others.
She said the division affects how people interact. “The tragic everyday impact these divisions have on Americans are also made clear in this survey. Nearly half of voters (49%) agree with the statement ‘I often avoid bringing up politics with my friends and family to avoid conflicts’ while 50% disagree,” said Lake.
And, she added, “28% of voters agree with the statement ‘I have family members with whom I can no longer talk because their views about politics and current events are so different than my beliefs.’”
Ed Goeas, the Republican co-pollster of their 32-year bipartisan effort, said in his analysis that “self-segregation” is spreading:
“From finding those now bowling alone to the surprisingly predictive powers of Whole Foods and Cracker Barrel locations to the political divide that created the type of airport serving your community, political scientists and journalists have found considerable evidence that voters are segregating to live with those who match their political beliefs.”
Like Lake, of Lake Research Partners, he hopes for a change in the political environment that builds more on compromise or unity.
“The familial and friend circle for most likely voters is a group that mirrors their political beliefs all the way down to voting for the same candidates. This is a pleasant development for political operatives, especially those focused on voter turnout, but certainly creates a larger challenge for those trying to promote a culture of greater political civility. Having a shared enemy is a powerful motivational and organizational tool. Advocating for common ground and collaboration is a more challenging task,” said Goeas, of the Tarrance Group.
The poll did offer a glimmer of hope in a finding that many people still seek a unity candidate — or at least say they do.
“While political division across the country remains high, people are offering a clear path forward for political leaders,” said Georgetown Institute of Politics and Public Service Executive Director Mo Elleithee. “With a considerable group of voters preferring compromise oriented candidates, and a majority who consider themselves centrists, there is hope for those looking for more civility in our politics.”
