Letter from the Editor

摘要

As this issue goes to press, Washington and world financial markets are still reacting to the turmoil brought on by the American threat to default on its debt. The "showdown" between Repub-licans and Democrats over raising the debt ceiling reflects an electorate that is profoundly divided. We are very lucky to have two of America's leading public opinion experts, Robert Blendon and John Benson, to compile their annual summary of American opinion polls. The au-thors find a sharp increase in the polarization of the electorate-and a decided increase in the unwillingness to compromise.