Partisanship is the strong adherence, loyalty, or support for a particular political party, ideology, or agenda, often accompanied by a negative view of opposing parties
. It involves a tendency to favor one's own group or cause, sometimes without fair consideration of facts or circumstances
. In politics, partisanship can lead to unwillingness to cooperate or compromise with opponents, contributing to political polarization and governmental gridlock
. This phenomenon is common in democratic systems where individuals identify psychologically with a party and align their opinions and actions accordingly
. Extreme partisanship can undermine democratic institutions by fostering hostility, prejudicial attitudes, and distrust among citizens and leaders
. It can also manifest in the politicization of independent institutions and institutional conflicts aimed at weakening opposing parties
. In summary, partisanship is a political behavior characterized by strong, often biased loyalty to a party or cause, affecting political dynamics and governance
