By Jonnie Breen
Korea Times Intern
Politics in the United States is becoming increasingly polarized and new media is to blame, according to a top American political analyst, Friday.
James A. Thomson, president and CEO of RAND Corporation, the prestigious think-tank, said the extent of the divide in American political discourse is greater than it has been in the 100 years.
"Polarization in the U.S. has reached its highest measure since the late 19th century," Thomson said during a forum at the Seoul Plaza Hotel.
This trend comes in the wake of the financial crisis, as well as the election of the first African-American president.
"We can't have political debates," he noted, "Only political warfare." Thomson laid the blame on the numerous bloggers, Internet forums, social media, online commentators and talk radio.
As an example of the current polarization, Thomson referred to President Obama's plans to pass a bill that would dramatically change the healthcare system, noting the intense conflict and division that has arisen as a result.
"The proliferation of new, low cost media, able to aim only at a niche audience, allow people to hear or to read only what they want to, not exposing them to any challenging thought or uncomfortable opinion," he said.
Thomson was speaking at the event organized by the Korea Foundation, a Seoul-based organization that promotes and funds Korean studies internationally. He did not venture to comment on the impact of new media on Korean politics.
"Traditional media, such as newspapers and TV broadcasters, try to create a more total and objective report of news. However, new media is the issue, new media is why we are in for an extended period of political warfare" he said.
In making his case, based on in-depth research of political demographics in the U.S., he argued that it is more important than ever in the current climate that the work of think tanks such as RAND is heard. "Our work is based on solid information."
Thomson is visiting Korea to sign a memorandum of understanding with the Presidential Council for Future and Vision and announce the appointment of Hahm Chaibong, formerly of Yonsei University, as the RAND's Korea Policy Chair.
This article was assisted by Korea Times Intern JR Breen.