If you're suggesting a causal link between a partisan media and social violence, I really question it. I believe both intense partisanship and social conflict are dependent variables.
A highly partisan media is the American norm. The only exceptional period was the height of the Cold War. I think it's unrealistic to expect that highly exceptional period to be the norm.
But it all comes down to market mechanisms. Most people want partisan news (we here are by definition abnormal). Hence the media provides it.
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