Estonian professor: Polarization and immigration debates are reshaping U.S. politics
According to political scientist Rein Taagepera, American society is becoming increasingly polarized as extreme voices dominate political debate and centrists retreat. Immigration issues and foreign policy are creating divides within both parties.
Rein Taagepera, professor emeritus of political science at the University of Tartu's Skytte Institute who spends part of the year in Southern California, said in an ERR broadcast that the United States has reached a point where moderate voters "do not dare to speak up," leaving the political field to activists on both ends of the spectrum. Extremists gain influence because they project confidence, while centrists "see both sides" and are more easily attacked.
Taagepera described dramatic demographic changes over the past 50 years, with campuses and communities becoming far more diverse. The U.S. is experiencing one of the largest immigration waves in its history, creating adaptation pressures that neither party has addressed honestly. Democrats risk losing voters when they dismiss concerns about border management, while Republicans alienate the public with harsh enforcement tactics, such as deporting children separately from their parents.
On foreign policy, Taagepera said Americans pay little attention to global affairs unless political leaders stir emotions. The Iran conflict has divided Republicans and left few feeling confident about the outcome. U.S. debates over support for Ukraine reveal a growing isolationist streak. He warned that China and Russia may act more aggressively as they sense their long‑term power peaking, and that U.S. actions in the Middle East have weakened its strategic position, giving China more room to maneuver.
Regarding living standards, Taagepera said frequent claims that Americans enjoy a far higher standard of living than Europeans are misleading. He pointed to high consumer prices and wide regional disparities, noting that "better living past a certain point turns into worse living" when consumption becomes excessive. Taagepera said he hopes U.S. voters will reject political extremism in upcoming elections but fears both parties could again alienate the moderate majority.
