Abstract

SUAREZ-CAO, JULIETA. The United States: Crisis, Reelection, and Polarization. Rev. cienc. polít. (Santiago) [online]. 2013, vol.33, n.1, pp.185-205. ISSN 0718-090X.  http://dx.doi.org/10.4067/S0718-090X2013000100009.

The present article provides a summary of the most important political events in the United States during 2012. It offers a discussion of the economic crisis and the main domestic and international issues. The focus of attention, however, is on the most relevant event of the year: the general elections that led to the reelection of Barack Obama as well as on the electoral campaign and election results. I advance an interpretation of the Democratic victory and the resulting divided government based on key notions about political polarization, the transformation of the American median voter, the social coalition behind Obamas reelection, and the effect of gerrymandering on congressional districts.

Keywords : 2012 General Elections; Surveys; Economic Crisis; Electoral College; Polarization.

        · abstract in Spanish     · text in Spanish     · Spanish ( pdf )