Скачать или смотреть Divided States of America: How Newt Gingrich Changed Congress

Why is American politics so broken — not just in rhetoric, but in how government functions?

This episode examines the deep institutional roots of political polarization, focusing not on social media or culture wars, but on how Congress itself was re-engineered for conflict. We start by explaining the three types of polarization — ideological, affective, and institutional — and focus on the one that gets the least attention but does the most damage: institutional polarization.

We trace this form of polarization back to Newt Gingrich, whose rise in the 1980s and takeover of Congress in 1994 fundamentally changed the rules of political engagement. His strategies — demonizing opponents, prioritizing performance over policy, and turning governance into partisan spectacle — reshaped Congress into a battlefield.

We then connect that transformation to Donald Trump’s second term in office, as of April 2025, where the same tactics have been intensified. Trump isn’t just a symptom of polarization — he’s governing within an institution already designed for division.

In this episode:

The three types of polarization: defined and distinguished

Gingrich’s war on congressional norms

The 1994 “Contract with America” and its legacy

The erosion of bipartisan cooperation

How Trump’s second term magnifies institutional dysfunction

Why political performance now outweighs legislative substance

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