Rabe quoted in NPR article on political polarization of states

April 1, 2013

Barry Rabe was quoted in an NPR article about the deepening political divide between U.S. states. The article, which is titled, "A State Apart and, Politically, A World Away," considers the polarization of states on both economic and social issues, like the environment.

"It is a tale of two nations," Rabe commented for the article. "We see states going in dramatically different directions."

For instance, adjacent states like Pennsylvania and New York have taken markedly different positions on environmental issues like the regulation of hydraulic fracturing, a controversial method of natural gas extraction. The article points to other examples that differentiate Kansas from Colorado and Washington from California.

Although this polarization has been occurring for some time, recent elections and legislative agendas in U.S. states show the process continuing.