Moralization and Polarization

"In this project we investigate the links between moralization and polarization. To do so requires long time series of text or of opinion data. We collect state-of-the-state speeches given yearly by Governors of the American states from when the state joined the Union up until today, since it is impossible to aks voters about their opinion going back in time. Thereby we can establish a long time series of moralization across many political units. Using text analytic approaches we aim to uncover if, when and how political issues become moralized and if moralization leads to increased polarization. Thereby the project helps understand if polarization is a new phenomenon, what the correlates of polarization are and - hopefully - how to avoid toxic polarization."