Having established the timeframes for GOP radicalization, it becomes easier to assign causes for it. In my opinion, it was driven by the following:
1. The proliferation of right-wing media: The number of channels on cable TV has increased substantially since the early 90’s, and then, of course, we had the internet. The country is now full of right-wing megaphones with a powerful incentive to out-shout their competitors, and GOP voters can get the news without exposing themselves to moderate opinions in the MSM, which was much more difficult previously.
2. The impacts of technological change and globalization: Some culturally conservative men who voted Democrat in a different age lost their jobs and slipped into the Reactionary camp. That is the reason the debate on protectionism now takes place within the GOP, not among the Democrats.
3. The increasing impact of large donors with specific agendas on labor rights and climate change after Citizens United: No elaboration necessary.
4. They really, really hate Obama: Radicalization only occurs when the GOP is out of power. We have reached the point where many GOP members will even repudiate positions they held years ago simply because Obama agrees with them.
Can this process be reversed? Tune in tomorrow.