ABSTRACT
Social change and party polarization could well increase. Continued increases in inequality could exacerbate tensions over inequality in American society and increase party conflict and polarization. The constituency bases of each party are diverging because of realignment and social change. The party differences are reflections of differing constituencies, needs, and philosophies about the role of government. Issues emerge and are reacted to differently by party candidates and the electorate. The Americans for Democratic Action (ADA) average is the average ADA score for all Republicans who held seats in that category. For example, in the North in the 1970s, Republicans had an average ADA score of 69 in districts with 0-9 percent non-whites with 20 percent non-whites increased only 3 percentage points. Democrats from districts with substantial minority populations are likely to be very concerned with minority interests. The Democrats are somewhat different, with the average ADA scores increasing in all categories.
