We constantly hear about the growing extreme partisanship in Congress. It is most likely the reason why Congress can't get anything done. We constantly push for Congress to act and pass more legislation and to not be as gridlocked. Yet, the visions of our future from different Americans can be very different. Interestingly, the amount of "swing" districts for the House (districts where the electorate commonly switch between electing a democrat and electing a republican) have decreased drastically in the past few decades. This is generally attributed to gerrymandering, which has definitely played a large role. Gerrymandering is an unofficial term given to the redrawing of Congressional districts each time a census comes out. Each time a census comes out, state legislatures are allowed to redraw the map of congressional districts. So, whichever party in power in the state legislature will create a map that maximizes districts for them and minimizes district for the opposing party. It is the reason many districts resemble squiggles drawn by children (if you don't believe me, look up some gerrymandered districts). This leads to many districts have an abundance of members from one party or the other. So, members of Congress elected from these districts generally stick to their party's ideology. There is very little reason to compromise because politicians who compromise will be voted out and replaced with a more liberal candidate in a district controlled by Democrats and a more conservative candidate in a district controlled by Republicans. As candidates stray further towards the extremes of their parties, compromise and effective governing become more and more difficult.
Yet, gerrymandering is actually only part of the problem. Gerrymandering is actually just capitalizing on a growing trend in America: people are now choosing, more than in the past, to live among people with similar political views. So, as Republicans and Democrats coalesce into groups and regions, gerrymandering can become more effective and more powerful. This trend, coupled with gerrymandering, is what has helped lead to the incredible partisanship between Democrats and Republicans.
If gerrymandering was outlawed, it would help to alleviate some of the partisanship in Congress and lead to a more moderate Congress and congressmen and women who were more willing to compromise. Perhaps districts could be redrawn by a 3rd party? Or just a computer every 10 years? Computers are generally impartial to political views. A program could easily redraw congressional districts. Eliminating gerrymandering would go a long way to restoring our Congress' credibility and effectiveness.
Yet, gerrymandering is actually only part of the problem. Gerrymandering is actually just capitalizing on a growing trend in America: people are now choosing, more than in the past, to live among people with similar political views. So, as Republicans and Democrats coalesce into groups and regions, gerrymandering can become more effective and more powerful. This trend, coupled with gerrymandering, is what has helped lead to the incredible partisanship between Democrats and Republicans.
If gerrymandering was outlawed, it would help to alleviate some of the partisanship in Congress and lead to a more moderate Congress and congressmen and women who were more willing to compromise. Perhaps districts could be redrawn by a 3rd party? Or just a computer every 10 years? Computers are generally impartial to political views. A program could easily redraw congressional districts. Eliminating gerrymandering would go a long way to restoring our Congress' credibility and effectiveness.