The process or act of becoming bipolar or developing two distinct opposing poles, often used to describe political or social systems splitting into two opposing factions.
From bipolarize + -ation (Latin suffix forming nouns). This is a relatively modern term (late 20th century) describing the dynamic process of a system moving from multiple centers to exactly two opposing sides.
Political scientists use 'bipolarization' to describe how countries like the United States have shifted from having multiple viewpoints to increasingly seeing issues through only two opposing lenses—it's like watching a spectrum collapse into a binary choice.
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