Secular geographical polarization in the American South: The case of Texas, 1996-2010

• Autores: Adam S. Myers
• Localización: Electoral Studies: An international Journal, ISSN 0261-3794, Vol. 32, Nº. 1, 2013, págs. 48-62
• Idioma: inglés
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• Resumen

  • This article uses fine-grained data to demonstrate that, since 1996, the State of Texas has undergone a process of ‘secular geographical polarization’ – a continuous divergence in the geographical bases of its political parties. It is suggested that this process exemplifies a new era of partisan politics in the American South. Analyses of spatial regression models show that the geographical polarization can be partially explained by a tighter link between demographic characteristics and aggregate voting patterns, but that growth in spatial clustering cannot be attributed entirely to demographics. The possibility that spatially-bounded social contexts are affecting partisan change is thus explored. Finally, the article's findings are considered in light of the growing debate about geographical polarization in the American electorate.