Elite Polarization and Mass Political Engagement: Information, Alienation, and Mobilization

Abstract

Using the cumulative ANES survey (1972-2004), this paper examines the effect of elite polarization on various measures of mass political engagement when alienation, mobilization and informational

factors are included together in the estimation model. I also focus on the conditional effect of existing

cognitive ability of an individual as I explore mass engagement question because citizens can respond

differently to changed informational environment depending on their different levels of education. The

findings of this study indicate that the effects of increasing elite polarization in the U.S. Congress on

mass political engagement is rather ambiguous because the signs and the magnitudes of the effects are

varying by measures of political engagement and levels of education. The ambiguity in findings might

explain why previous research has provided conflicting empirical evidences regarding its effect on mass politics.