What does polarization refer to in a political context?

In a political context, polarization refers to a split along strictly partisan lines, meaning that individuals and groups become more divided and entrenched in their political beliefs, often leading to increased hostility and decreased willingness to compromise with those holding opposing views. This phenomenon can manifest in various ways, including the emergence of distinct partisan identities where members of different political parties not only disagree on issues but also develop negative perceptions of each other.

Political polarization can exacerbate tensions within the political landscape, contributing to gridlock in governance and making it challenging to achieve bipartisan consensus on policy matters. The phenomenon is often illustrated by sharply diverging opinions on key issues such as healthcare, immigration, or climate change, where individuals align closely with their party's stance irrespective of previous centrist perspectives.

In contrast, other aspects such as changes in voting demographics, coalition formations between parties, or decreases in voter turnout do not capture the essence of polarization, which specifically emphasizes the division and ideological separation of distinct political factions.