PEW RESEARCH CENTER FOR THE PEOPLE & THE PRESS POLITICAL TYPOLOGY/POLARIZATION

This is likely a foundational survey for Pew Research Center's renowned Political Typology study, which moves beyond simple "Republican/Democrat/Independent" labels to create a more nuanced classification of the U.S. electorate. This methodology groups Americans into cohesive groups based on their values, political beliefs, and partisan affiliation, not just their voting habits. The core purpose is to analyze and measure political polarization, revealing the deep divisions—as well as the unexpected areas of agreement—that exist within and between parties. It explores the growing ideological consistency (or inconsistency) among the public and the shrinking size of the political "center."