The era of political polarization is over

From media claims that we are a hopelessly divided country to ceaseless personal attacks on the presidential candidates' characters and track records, it's not surprising that most folks believe the American electorate is more polarized than ever. A closer look at the two parties’ respective platforms, however, reveals a story of a homogeneous citizenry, and a nation unified in its temperament and values.

Political polarization oscillates back and forth depending on various social and political factors, both domestic and international. Since the mid-2000s, the Democratic and Republican parties have tended in opposite directions along the political spectrum on a variety of issues. Nevertheless, in this election, we are witnessing a return of both parties and their presidential candidates towards centrist political positions.

Let's start with illegal immigration. Donald Trump has emphasized his prioritization of border security. And Kamala Harris has followed suit with a pledge to increase resources and personnel, to stem the tide of unlawful border-crossings. Whereas Trump has stated his clear intentions to deport those who have entered this country illegally, Harris's plans have been more ambiguous. She has been reticent to use the word “deport,” with all its heavy-handed implications, yet it is difficult to imagine the societal and legal ramifications of granting instant citizenship to tens of millions of illegal immigrants.

On second amendment rights, an issue classically touted by the GOP, both Harris and her running mate, Tim Walz, have gone to great lengths to demonstrate their affinity for personal gun ownership and usage. On health care, Trump and the Republican Party have made little effort to overturn ObamaCare, and Harris has backtracked from her prior position in favor of a single-payer system. Thus, these two perennial battles have been relegated to the background.

Despite attempts by Democrats to label the GOP as homophobic, sexist, racist, antisemitic and Islamophobic, the party has celebrated its commitment to equality and diversity. Given the libertarian spirit of many Republicans, there has been no serious attempt to overturn same-sex marriage. The final contender for the Republican presidential race was a woman, Nikki Haley, and the party convention featured a host of female speakers.

And it is hard to deploy the racism card when Trump appoints a running mate whose wife is neither white nor Christian, and proudly displays Usha Vance as a symbol of American success. Meanwhile, on the other side of the aisle, Harris and the Democratic Party have notably stopped employing the canard that it is racist to have a well-funded and effective police force.

Republicans in Congress passed the Antisemitism Awareness Act, and the gargantuan efforts of Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) and others highlighted the antisemitic climate on many campuses today, even forcing several university presidents to resign. Arab and Muslim Americans no longer identify singularly with the Democratic Party. Indeed, in recent weeks many prominent Muslims have endorsed Trump. In addition to his accomplishments in fostering Middle East peace and regional stability, conservative social values are resonating with this demographic.

On trade and economic issues, Trump has been labeled protectionist and isolationist. However, the Biden administration did not remove any of the restrictions placed on Chinese imports under its predecessor. While Trump likes to focus on populist notions of boosting domestic industry, the truth is that America did not start this trade war. The reason for the parties’ consensus vis-à-vis China is that it has never been a fair player in the international market.

Despite its ascension to the WTO, China has managed to sidestep its global agreements and commitments. When Donald Trump promises to boost tariffs on Chinese goods, he is only leveling the playing field to avoid a Chinese takeover of the American economy. And in other economic news, Harris seems to have backtracked on her opposition to fracking, while fiscal conservative tea party voices in the GOP have quieted their alarm bells of a decade ago.

Support for Ukraine was a line in the sand differentiating the two finalists in the Republican Party presidential race. After the dust settled, however, Trump and even his more isolationist running-mate JD Vance have both drifted closer to the center, decrying Russian aggression, and signaling their support for a free Ukraine.

While the two presidential candidates may not be on exactly the same page regarding Israel, they have both emphatically declared, and undeniably demonstrated, which side America is on. The State of Israel maintains bipartisan support in a way unmatched by any other country on the planet. Trump can point proudly to his unprecedented efforts and successes at normalization between Israel and Arab countries. And the Democratic convention’s refusal to include the pro-Palestinian voice is likewise a sign of the party’s unconditional commitment to Israel and its people.

While abortion has been a polarizing issue in America, the gap between the two candidates’ positions is less striking. At the behest of Donald Trump, the Republican Party softened its position on abortion. The final party platform only opposes late-term abortion. Trump has expressed his opposition to a nationwide abortion ban. And the party platform commits to advancing prenatal care as well as access to birth control and in vitro fertilization. Meanwhile, the Democratic Party has shifted its terminology away from the strong language of “pro-choice,” preferring to use words like “reproductive rights.” This shift similarly suggests a move towards more centrist and inclusive language that would appeal to a broader swath of the American public.

The greatest issue dividing the candidates may be broadly dubbed “wokeism.” While conservative pundits criticized the presidential debate moderators, perhaps the better critique concerns not what they said to Trump, but rather, what they did not say to Harris. Where was the question, “How do you feel about transgender athletes?” The vast majority of Americans today are opposed to biological males competing in female sports. Or appearing in female locker rooms.

In addition, opposition to arcane diversity, equity and inclusion regulations that stymie growth, creativity and prosperity is on the rise. Companies that experimented with woke practices and marketing saw their revenues plummet. Americans are tired of identity politics, cancel culture and having their speech policed.

The people of this blessed country simply want to see a return to traditional, patriotic American values. The candidate who is seen to represent these values will be the next president.

Daniel Friedman is professor of political science at Touro University.