What happens to partisanship when there are more strong partisans and fewer independents?

When there are more strong partisans and fewer independents in the political landscape, partisanship tends to become stronger. This is because strong partisans are individuals who have a deep loyalty to their political party, leading to increased alignment with party policies and candidates. When the proportion of independents decreases, the potential for a middle-ground or compromise stance lessens, resulting in a more polarized environment where party allegiance plays a crucial role in political discourse and behavior.

In such a scenario, political debates and elections are often characterized by a high level of partisanship, as voters with strong party affiliations may be more likely to mobilize, contribute to campaigns, and support party positions passionately. The overall effect is a heightened divide between the parties, which reinforces their ideologies and makes it more challenging for bipartisan cooperation to occur. This dynamic ultimately leads to a political atmosphere where partisanship is a dominant force in shaping opinions, policies, and electoral outcomes.