wedge issue
Polarizing political subject
A wedge issue is a divisive political topic used strategically to split an opponent's coalition or energize one's own base.
The metaphor comes from driving a wedge into wood to split it apart.
Abortion, immigration, and gun control frequently serve as wedge issues in American politics: The campaign focused on wedge issues to peel off working-class voters.
Ending a pregnancy
- immigrationRelocating abroad permanently
- gun controlFirearm ownership restrictions
- same-sex marriageWedlock between like genders
- affirmative actionPrograms boosting marginalized representation
healthcare · taxation · climate change · death penalty · religious freedom · school prayer · stem cell · euthanasia
Emotionally charged, controversial
- platformRaised flat structure
- stumpTrunk base after felling
- grassrootsCommon people as political base
- canvassingSystematic direct voter outreach
electorate · constituency · primary · ballot · rally · mobilization · turnout · swing voter
Separation into opposing extremes
- partisanshipLoyalty to one faction
- riftCrack or estrangement
- schismFormal organizational fracture
- factionalismDivision into opposing cliques
discord · disunity · cleavage · fracture · splintering · us versus them · tribalism · identity politics
Rapid rotation around axis
- framingStructural or contextual shaping
- propagandaBiased information for influence
- disinformationIntentional deceptive falsehoods
- misinformationFalse data spread unintentionally
agenda-setting · dog whistle · exploitation · fear-mongering · scapegoating · distraction · deflection · divide and conquer
abortion
Ending a pregnancy
- immigrationRelocating abroad permanently
- gun controlFirearm ownership restrictions
- same-sex marriageWedlock between like genders
affirmative action · healthcare · taxation · climate change · death penalty · religious freedom · school prayer · stem cell · euthanasia · drug policy
hot-button
Emotionally charged, controversial
- platformRaised flat structure
- stumpTrunk base after felling
- grassrootsCommon people as political base
canvassing · electorate · constituency · primary · ballot · rally · mobilization · turnout · swing voter · base
polarization
Separation into opposing extremes
- partisanshipLoyalty to one faction
- riftCrack or estrangement
- schismFormal organizational fracture
factionalism · discord · disunity · cleavage · fracture · splintering · us versus them · tribalism · identity politics · culture war
spin
Rapid rotation around axis
- framingStructural or contextual shaping
- propagandaBiased information for influence
- disinformationIntentional deceptive falsehoods
misinformation · agenda-setting · dog whistle · exploitation · fear-mongering · scapegoating · distraction · deflection · divide and conquer · cynical
- campaign jargonstump speech, talking points, sound bites, soundbite, soundbites
- divisivenessdiscord, strife, polarization, factionalism, tribalism
- manipulation tacticsgaslighting, guilt trip, guilt-tripping, guilt tripping, emotional blackmail
- political jargonfilibuster, gerrymandering, caucus, pork barrel, lame duck
- political tacticscampaigning, gerrymandering, filibuster, campaigns, voter suppression
- propagandapropaganda, brainwashing, disinformation, misinformation, indoctrination