Title

Splitsville: A Study of Income Inequality and Political Polarization in the United States House of Representatives

Date of Completion

Spring 5-10-2009

Thesis Advisor(s)

Jeffrey W. Ladewig

Department

Political Science

Disciplines

American Politics | Political Science

Abstract

The study compares a measure of income inequality with polarization scores of U.S. Representatives from the 104th to the 109th Congresses. It attempts to explain the link, on the abstract level, between high inequality and high polarization. The end findings indicate that inequality increases a Representative's likelihood to act liberally.