Honors Projects
Abstract
In 2016, political polarization in the United States reached levels unprecedented in the last three decades. This paper analyzes over thirty sources in an attempt to explore the extent to which the political divide exists in the US, to discover some possible reasons for the severe polarization, and to offer a list of possible solutions to the problem, solutions that everyday citizens can enact to contribute to a more open, discursive, and respectful society where all views can be heard, respected, and where democracy can thrive. Using a critical communication approach, this paper explains complex communication theory using language accessible to those outside of the communication field, and uses various concepts from communication theory as a lens through which one can view the issue of political polarization.
Department
Communication
Major
Communication
First Advisor
Dr. John Dowd
First Advisor Department
Communication
Second Advisor
Dr. Rick Busselle
Second Advisor Department
Journalism and Public Relations
Publication Date
Winter 12-11-2017
Repository Citation
Albers, Codey, "Communicative Solutions to the United States' Political Polarization" (2017). Honors Projects. 729.
https://scholarworks.bgsu.edu/honorsprojects/729
Included in
Critical and Cultural Studies Commons, Film and Media Studies Commons, Social Influence and Political Communication Commons