Alexander Lee: How Polarization Ends

Moynihan Institute’s program for the Study of Global Politics welcomes Alexander Lee from the University of Rochester.

Join us for an insightful talk on the history of partisan polarization in the United States of America. Discover how polarization has peaked—and ended—before, and what lessons we can learn from past political divides. Lee will explore key historical periods of intense polarization, from the First Party System (1790-1820) to the Third- and Fourth-Party Systems (1860-1930) and uncover three common patterns that have shaped America’s political landscape. Learn how changes in voter demographics, shifting issues, and the rise and fall of dominant parties have transformed the U.S. political scene and what this could mean for our current era. Don’t miss this chance to understand the forces driving polarization and the paths to its resolution.