The statement that “America is polarized” is prevalent in our political discourse. But is it true? According to the data, the answer is a resounding “yes.”
A recent analysis by Pew Research found that the only issue on which more than half of Kamala Harris and Donald Trump supporters agree is the separation of church and state. When asked if “religion should be kept separate from government policies,” 55% of Trump supporters and 87% of Harris supporters said it should.
There is a similar agreement over gender issues. Only 11% of Harris supporters and 27% of Trump supporters believe the gains made by women in society have come at the expense of men.
If you are looking for a kumbaya policy conversation among Republicans and Democrats, those are as close as you will get.
The widest issue gap concerns guns. Only 18% of Harris supporters believe “gun ownership does more to increase safety by allowing law-abiding citizens to protect themself.” Of Trump supporters, 89% believe this is the case.
Differences in the lasting legacy of racism are also stark. When asked whether “the legacy of slavery affects the position of Black people in American society” a great deal or fair amount, 80% of Harris voters said it did, with only 24% of Trump voters agreeing.
Regarding transgender individuals, six in ten Harris supporters said, “Someone can be a man or a woman even if that is different from the sex they were assigned at birth.” Only 7% of Trump supporters believe this is the case.
The analysis also measured differences in opinion over issues such as immigration and the proper role of government in various aspects of public life. Results can be found here.
Senior Editor at Good Faith Media.
