Notre Dame sociologist explores enduring influence of Ku Klux Klan in contemporary political polarization | News | Notre Dame News | University of Notre Dame Skip To Content Skip To Navigation Skip To Search University of Notre Dame Notre Dame News Experts ND in the News Subscribe About Us Home Contact Search Menu Home › News › Notre Dame sociologist explores enduring influence of Ku Klux Klan in contemporary political polarization Notre Dame sociologist explores enduring influence of Ku Klux Klan in contemporary political polarization Published: October 16, 2014 Author: Michael O. Garvey Rory McVeigh The notorious activities of the Ku Klux Klan nearly a half-century ago continue to exert an influence on contemporary American politics, according to Rory McVeigh, professor and chair of sociology at the University of Notre Dame. In an article forthcoming in American Sociological Review, McVeigh and co-authors David Cunningham and Justin Farrell draw on 40 years of voting data to argue that increases in Republican support were most conspicuous in southern counties where the Klan had been active in the 1960s, even taking into account other influences on voting shifts. In the article, titled “Political Polarization as a Social Movement Outcome: 1960s Klan Activism and its Enduring Impact on Political Realignment in Southern Counties, 1960 to 2000,” the three sociologists also report an analysis of individual voters that demonstrates how, decades after the Klan declined, racial attitudes predict Southern voters’ partisan leanings in counties where the Klan had been active. They also discuss the implications of their study for understanding political polarization in contemporary politics. “Perhaps surprisingly,” McVeigh said, “prior research shows that Americans’ attitudes on a broad range of issues have not become increasingly polarized over time. But at the same time, party politics has become more polarized, as is reflected in the current gridlock in Washington. By focusing on Klan activism of the 1960s, we explore the historical roots of that gridlock.” Contact: Rory McVeigh, 574-631-0386, Rory.M.McVeigh.3@nd.edu Posted In: Research Home Experts ND in the News Subscribe About Us Related October 05, 2022 Astrophysicists find evidence for the presence of the first stars October 04, 2022 NIH awards $4 million grant to psychologists researching suicide prevention September 29, 2022 Notre Dame, Ukrainian Catholic University launch three new research grants September 27, 2022 Notre Dame, Trinity College Dublin engineers join to advance novel treatment for cystic fibrosis September 22, 2022 Climate-prepared countries are losing ground, latest ND-GAIN index shows For the Media Contact Office of Public Affairs and Communications Notre Dame News 500 Grace Hall Notre Dame, IN 46556 USA Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube Pinterest © 2022 University of Notre Dame Search Mobile App News Events Visit Accessibility Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube LinkedIn