Of Note: Vanderbilt index shows political polarization

The latest Vanderbilt Unity Index shows the country’s continuing political polarization, with the percentage of Americans identifying as either strongly liberal or strongly conservative having increased by 4 points, from 24 percent in the first quarter of 2023 to 28 percent in the last quarter of 2023.  

The Vanderbilt Project on Unity and American Democracy compiled the index, which collects and analyzes data, including the public’s ideological commitment, polarization in Congress and presidential disapproval.