| ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS | 第9-10页 |
| abstract | 第10页 |
| 摘要 | 第11-13页 |
| CHAPTER Ⅰ INTRODUCTION | 第13-20页 |
| 1.1 Research Background | 第13-16页 |
| 1.2 Research Question | 第16页 |
| 1.3 Significance of the Study | 第16-17页 |
| 1.4 Methodology | 第17-18页 |
| 1.5 Thesis Structure | 第18-20页 |
| CHAPTER Ⅱ LITERATURE REVIEW | 第20-32页 |
| 2.1 Previous Studies on Political Polarization at Home and Abroad | 第20-25页 |
| 2.1.1 Foreign Studies on Political Polarization | 第20-23页 |
| 2.1.2 Domestic Studies on Political Polarization | 第23-25页 |
| 2.2 Previous Studies on American Democracy at Home and Abroad | 第25-32页 |
| 2.2.1 Foreign Studies on American Democracy | 第26-29页 |
| 2.2.2 Domestic Studies on Democracy | 第29-32页 |
| CHAPTER Ⅲ FORMATION AND INTENSIFICATION OF AMERICAN POLITICAL POLARIZATION | 第32-43页 |
| 3.1 Division of Partisan Ideology | 第32-35页 |
| 3.2 Manipulation of the American Interest Groups | 第35-38页 |
| 3.3 Effect of the Mass Media | 第38-43页 |
| CHAPTER Ⅳ INFLUENCES OF POLITICAL POLARIZATION UPON ITS DEMOCRACY | 第43-63页 |
| 4.1 Impact on Bipartisan System and Political Participation | 第43-48页 |
| 4.2 Impact on the Expression of Public Opinion | 第48-53页 |
| 4.3 Impact on Government Efficiency | 第53-58页 |
| 4.4 Impact on Judicial Impartiality | 第58-63页 |
| CHAPTER Ⅴ CONCLUSION | 第63-66页 |
| 5.1 Major Findings | 第63-65页 |
| 5.2 Limitations and Suggestions | 第65-66页 |
| WORKS CITED | 第66-69页 |
