I came across the term  'affective polarization' the other day. I think it sheds a good deal of light on the political situation of our time. Parties have always been polarized. Republican, Democrat, left and right, etc., but the type of polarization we are witnessing today has a more harmful if not sinister element to it.

It doesn't just involve differences of opinion on social and political issues, it becomes more of an attack on the very character of those with whom we disagree. Affective polarization doesn't just portray our opponents as mistaken, misguided or ignorant, but also as immoral and perhaps even evil.

Consider the use of such derogatory epithets as 'Fascist', 'Nazi' or 'Hitler'. I find it interesting that no one uses the names 'Stalin' or 'Mao' even though both of them slaughtered far more people than Hitler.

The result this type of polarization in its later stages is the dehumanization of one's opponents. Sadly, this often results in the murder or attempted murder of those who have for some time been characterized in such a manner. What happens is that mentally unstable individuals consider this rhetoric as permission to take the life of another human being. 

It is difficult for me to see how we can turn this situation around and return to a place of tolerance and civil debate.

A recent murder victim warned that when we can no longer have civil discourse with those with whom we disagree, then violence will ensue.