Everyone acknowledges that our nation’s politics are as polarized as any time in recent memory. But some observers worry that polarization is carrying over into areas outside the public sphere. Many Americans get their news from sources they agree with ideologically. But now, they can use online services to meet singles with the same political bent or patronize companies that agree with their politics. Steffen Schmidt, contributor to It’s a Free Country, thinks the politicization of everyday life is a terrible development and is concerned about its implications for the country’s future. Tom Edsall is a professor at the Columbia Journalism School and author of “The Age of Austerity: How Scarcity Will Remake American Politics.”
The story you just read is available to read for free because thousands of listeners and readers like you generously support our nonprofit newsroom. Every day, the reporters and producers at The World are hard at work bringing you human-centered news from across the globe. But we can’t do it without you: We need your support to ensure we can continue this work for another year.
When you make a gift of $10 or more a month, we’ll invite you to a virtual behind-the-scenes tour of our newsroom to thank you for being with The World.