The Policy Polarization of Party Activists in the United States

This article investigates how a key stratum of the partisan elite—party activists—have been positioned across time and policy issues. We examine extent to which activists have polarized symmetrically or asymmetrically find that only on issue abortion has one party’s (Republicans) notably more than other’s. The also analyzes party activist proximity mass public’s preferences finds Democrats are consistently closer public economic issues, Republicans subset non-economic Our findings suggest need for nuanced theories activism polarization along with providing useful lens through view electoral competition.