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I think a more fundamental cause of the polarization is psychological: political disagreements function as an outlet for displaced anger. The more demonized your opponent, the more satisfying is the expression of anger and hostility. I think psychologically it is often exactly the same as a sporting event, even down to the peanut gallery of spectators.
It's probably a good rule of thumb that the more personal hostility there is below the surface (sometimes not too far below), the more serious the problems at home are . . . .
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