Education Realignment and Congressional Representation

In recent decades, the division between American voters with and without a college degree corresponds more and more with a division between the Democratic and Republican parties. This book examines the impact of this growing "diploma divide" on the makeup of the parties' coalitions, each party's policy positions, and recent political conflict.

Expert scholar Joel Kersting highlights how the education divide influences voting and representation, with a mutually reinforcing feedback loop between Congress and voters. He finds that while party coalitions and positions shifted significantly on social issues – like LGBTQ+ rights, abortion, and gun control – economic policy stances remained static. By focusing on the removal of moderate outlier members of Congress, he provides new insights into how the education realignment contributed to shaping party dynamics and policymaking.

This book offers a unique perspective on the effects of the education realignment, filling a crucial gap in understanding contemporary American politics. It is an essential read for scholars, students, and professionals who are interested in political parties, campaigns and elections, public opinion, and Congress.

Joel B. Kersting is an assistant professor of political science at Washington & Jefferson College. He received his PhD in political science from the Maxwell School at Syracuse University. He studies American political parties, elections, and legislative institutions. Prior work was published in Politics, Groups, and Identities and Environmental Politics.