Political Polarization As A Challenge To Democracy In The Contemporary United States
Authors:   Leonid Yuzkov Khmelnytskyi University of Management and Law, STENHACH Nadiia 
Published: February 2025

As one of the oldest modern democracies, the United States has long been held up as a model of stable institutional governance. In the 21st century, however, the country is facing a deep institutional crisis that is undermining its democratic foundations. This crisis manifests itself in the weakening of key institutions, growing citizen distrust of them, political polarisation, and the erosion of democratic norms. Political polarization in the United States has reached a critical level, paralyzing the work of key government institutions such as Congress. The hostility between the Republican and Democratic parties makes it impossible to reach compromises and facilitates the adoption of unilateral decisions. Political polarization also undermines citizens’ trust in government institutions, as people increasingly perceive them through the lens of party affiliation. This threatens to undermine the legitimacy of government. In recent decades, the United States has seen an increase in cases of abuse of power, which weakens democratic institutions. In particular: the use of executive orders by presidents to circumvent issues that lack congressional support; the refusal of some political leaders to recognize election results, questioning the legitimacy of the democratic process; and the politicization of the judicial system, particularly the Supreme Court, undermines its independence. Citizens’ trust in key US institutions, such as Congress, the media, and law enforcement, has plummeted. According to polls, most Americans believe that the government acts in the interests of elites rather than ordinary citizens. This creates the basis for social discontent and political radicalism. Economic inequality in American society also contributes to the institutional crisis. The unequal distribution of wealth reinforces the perception that the government is working for the benefit of the wealthy and corporate interests, leaving the middle and working classes out in the cold. This increases social tensions and undermines confidence in government institutions. The US Congress, which is supposed to act as a legislative body and provide checks and balances, has become an arena for political bickering. Frequent budget fiascos, the blocking of key initiatives, and procedural manipulations (such as filibusters) are evidence of its dysfunction. The US Supreme Court is increasingly becoming a field of political conflict. The appointment of justices along partisan lines gives the impression that court decisions are dictated by political interests rather than the rule of law. This undermines confidence in the judiciary as an independent arbiter. The US electoral system is also at risk. Gerrymandering (the manipulation of electoral districts for political advantage), restrictions on voting rights in some states, and misinformation about the electoral process have undermined public confidence in the integrity of elections. The media, which are supposed to play the role of an independent observer, are becoming increasingly polarized. The division into ‘left’ and ‘right’ media reinforces information bubbles, in which citizens only perceive information that corresponds to their political beliefs. This makes it difficult to analyse the situation objectively and encourages the spread of misinformation. When key institutions lose the trust of citizens, this leads to a decline in the legitimacy of the government as a whole. Citizens may refuse to obey laws or participate in democratic processes, increasing political instability. The institutional crisis contributes to the growth of radical attitudes among the population. People who lose faith in traditional political institutions may seek alternatives, including extreme ideologies or authoritarian approaches. Weak institutions create favourable conditions for the concentration of power in the hands of one person or a small group. This can lead to the erosion of democratic freedoms and civil rights. Such political processes in the modern US undermine its reputation as a defender of democracy in the international arena. Other countries can use this as an argument to justify their undemocratic actions, weakening global democracy.