Long eras of politics are generally dominated by major events such as the two world wars and depression that defined the early to mid-twentieth century and the extraordinary American economic growth and global power that followed. These events determined the framework for public debate and the policy decisions and strategic calculations that shaped how the two parties approached voters in elections.
In partisan terms, Democrats created the New Deal social welfare model of government and determined much of the postwar governing consensus, while Republicans challenged this approach in the late 1970s and 1980s through tax cuts, deregulation, and more conservative social policies. Yet both parties during the last half of the twentieth century operated under the basic assumption that government should advance national economic and security interests, serve as both a partner to the private sector and a check on it, and provide important social insurance measures like unemployment protection, Social Security, and Medicare that markets alone cannot provide.
Political eras are also shaped by the prevailing psychological state of the public. Trust in public officials and institutions, belief in our national values, and general optimism about the direction of the country were generally more pronounced in the postwar decades, even with periods of skepticism about government spending and concerns about corruption or immoral politicians (e.g., the Watergate scandal, Iran-Contra, and Bill Clinton’s intern affair.)
Today, however, one of the defining features of public opinion is cynicism—deep distrust of public institutions and the belief that those who lead us are mostly selfish, greedy, dishonest, and incompetent.
This is not merely the well-documented rise of partisan polarization wherein Republicans hate Democrats, Democrats hate Republicans, and independents hate both parties. Rather, political cynicism indicates a wider belief—across party lines—that elected officials and the institutions of government are incapable of serving the economic interests and social desires of most Americans.
This deeply rooted cynicism has produced three outcomes in modern American politics:
First, sitting governments have almost no leeway with the public and invariably lose support and legitimacy outside of their core backers—regardless of whether they govern well or not.
Second, the opposition, assuming it has its act together, is always better positioned to take advantage of cynicism in elections without having to fully articulate a coherent alternative.
Third, these first two trends combine into an endless cycle of “empty politics.” Driven by the emotional manipulation of Americans’ genuine feelings and fears, this cycle leads to alternating party control of government. Thus, there are no more durable majorities or lasting policy changes in contemporary American politics as perceived failures by incumbents produce more cynicism and a “vote them all out” attitude that fuels a new round of anger, distrust, and disengagement among voters.
Analysts like to call this current mood a “populist” era, which may be true in terms of dominant political factions and policy orientations in many countries. There are certainly populist elements ascendant in both the Democratic and Republican parties and in parties across the UK and Europe.
But more precisely, at least in America, we are living through an era of generalized cynicism among all voters rather than a coherent era of left- or right-wing populism. Americans, of course, have every right to be cynical about government and politics over the past quarter century. Look at the results: multiple contested elections that take weeks to decide and end up in courts, the Iraq War and “war on terrorism” excesses, the Great Recession and Wall Street bailouts, the Covid response and subsequent overreactions, inflation, inequality, partisan gerrymandering wars, dark money campaigns, welfare fraud, tax cheats, huge public debt, more illegitimate and failed wars, and now fears of AI-induced catastrophe.
America is still a rich and powerful country, yet its government is widely perceived as inept and hostile to the interests of most people, with policies that either don’t work or are designed to serve the wealthy rather than working- and middle-class families.
Cynicism has produced highly unstable politics. Donald Trump succeeds Barack Obama and reverses everything he did but quickly loses public backing. The Democratic opposition mobilizes to defeat him, which they do. Trump and his supporters believe his opposition is illegitimate, and then Trump claims the 2020 election was stolen. Joe Biden comes into office on the back of this distrust, reverses most of Trump’s actions, performs poorly on immigration and other matters, and watches his public standing deteriorate sharply. The Republican opposition mobilizes to defeat him, and Trump rides back into office. Trump reverses most of Biden’s actions and again loses public support in less than a year as voters continue to worry about inflation and the cost of living, among other issues. Democrats are now mounting a serious challenge to Republican control of Congress in 2026.
No one knows exactly what will happen after the 2028 election. However, it is a safe bet that the cycle of cynicism will continue.
Why? Although President Trump has clear strengths that address a demand for change among many Americans, particularly on immigration and cultural issues, being straightforward and honest with people and accommodating his opponents to pursue common goals is not one of them. Perceptions of the current president are deeply entrenched at this point. He’s not likely to reverse public cynicism or restore trust in government over his remaining two years.
Likewise, when Joe Biden was president, he promised a return to calmer and less confrontational politics but delivered the opposite in pursuit of progressive goals that appealed more to party activists than voters at large. Then Biden and his administration misled voters about his age-related health decline, and the party put Kamala Harris in his place without any direct primary vote. Voters won’t soon forget these actions. Nor will they forget Democrats’ extreme turn on cultural issues over the past decade and their ineffective immigration and crime policies. The party’s enthusiastic embrace of democratic socialism is not improving matters with a majority of Americans, even with President Trump’s steady decline among independents and others. Until Democrats confront their policy failures and fix their cultural image, they are also unlikely to ease public concerns.
Without first transforming their electoral and governing approaches and acknowledging their past mistakes, neither Republicans nor Democrats will upend the broken political cycle driving public cynicism and distrust of government.
Here’s a stab at not being cynical. It may be possible to reverse—or at least halt—some of this political cynicism by being clear-eyed about what is needed from future political and presidential leadership.
What America needs in 2028 and beyond are ethical, patriotic leaders from all parties who are committed to renouncing the politics of the past and moving away from the era of cynicism. This would mean no more pro-Trump and anti-Trump political wars. No more treating other Americans as enemies based on their vote preference or religion or regional background. No more campaigns bombarding Americans with negative ads, false and misleading claims in the media, and fantastical promises that can’t be fulfilled. No more governing to please party activists and attack partisan opponents.
A new era of political realism and personal honesty is required. If, by some chance, patriotic politicians could emerge from any party and win general elections, they must then resist the urge to cater to ideologues in power, govern with real transparency, admit mistakes and take steps to correct policy errors, be willing to talk honestly with critics and skeptics, and bring opponents to the table.
Maybe this leadership reset will temporarily ease public cynicism about government.
One thing is certain: the age of cynicism will not end with more partisan attacks on other Americans or fantasies about one-man rule with no legal constraints. It can only be overcome by a new generation of Americans deciding they’ve had enough, recommitting to America’s core values of liberty and equality for all, and acting with integrity, self-restraint, and personal decency. It will require political leaders who tell the truth, acknowledge errors, work well with partisan opponents, and pursue tangible short-term goals.
One can only hope for better politics, moral leaders, and effective government—and start to make it happen this year as we celebrate our country’s 250th anniversary.
Editor’s note: This is a revised version of an article that first appeared in The Liberal Patriot, and it fits well with recent Free Agent Politics posts.
The solutions won't come from within the very parties that perpetuate this ongoing fiasco. They have made things this way on purpose, because it works well for them.
The internet has changed everything. We the People see less and less need to get our news from vested interests who push a narrative, not the news. Imagine what will happen when We the People see less and less need for the Democratic and Republican parties.