Followers of American politics are well aware of the rising polarization between the two parties, coupled with closely divided national elections that can determine the control of government every two to four years.
Just a reminder: As the two parties struggle to have control of DC, remember that Congress generally never has an approval rating that exceeds 15%. Presidents are elated if they can maintain 55%. SCOTUS is loved or hated on a decision by decision basis.
We are being misled, when anyone in either party suggests that their party represents America. They do not. Not even close.
This is not new. In his book Unstable Majorities from 2017, Morris Fiorina described just this dynamic. His view also was that the first unified government for either party makes it a priority to pay off their core supporters, and that this alienates the political middle enough to drive loss of control by that party.
The problem is not the system; it’s the identity ideology of the voters that refuses all compromise. The parties reflect this “it’s all about me” culture. We have met the enemy, and it is us. Refuse to follow the extremist radicals.
The alternative is Proportional Representation which is always a disaster.
The mistake here is believing that democracy is about voting for the party you want.
This only happens 2 or 3 times a century. The power of democracy is in voting OUT the party that you DON'T WANT.
Power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely and it is only the fear of being kicked out of office that maintains any control of politicians' excesses.
With Proportional Representation different splinter parties form alliances to form a government so that awful party you didn't want is now allied with another party and STILL IN A POSITION OF POWER! Worse still, it may be holding the balance of power between two other more popular parties. These allied parties don't agree on much but trade off compromised policies to keep each other satisfied. Nothing of any value gets done.
Unelectable parties (like the current Democrat Party) always campaign for Proportional Representation (PR) but if they get into power, PR is quickly forgotten.
Winston Churchill famously stated that although the First Past the Post system has many failings, it is by far the best method.
The Dems are teeing up for misreading the potential 2026 wave. Hating The Evil Orange One is not an endorsement of their agenda.
The incentives for cooperation just aren't there .
Just a reminder: As the two parties struggle to have control of DC, remember that Congress generally never has an approval rating that exceeds 15%. Presidents are elated if they can maintain 55%. SCOTUS is loved or hated on a decision by decision basis.
We are being misled, when anyone in either party suggests that their party represents America. They do not. Not even close.
This is not new. In his book Unstable Majorities from 2017, Morris Fiorina described just this dynamic. His view also was that the first unified government for either party makes it a priority to pay off their core supporters, and that this alienates the political middle enough to drive loss of control by that party.
The problem is not the system; it’s the identity ideology of the voters that refuses all compromise. The parties reflect this “it’s all about me” culture. We have met the enemy, and it is us. Refuse to follow the extremist radicals.
The alternative is Proportional Representation which is always a disaster.
The mistake here is believing that democracy is about voting for the party you want.
This only happens 2 or 3 times a century. The power of democracy is in voting OUT the party that you DON'T WANT.
Power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely and it is only the fear of being kicked out of office that maintains any control of politicians' excesses.
With Proportional Representation different splinter parties form alliances to form a government so that awful party you didn't want is now allied with another party and STILL IN A POSITION OF POWER! Worse still, it may be holding the balance of power between two other more popular parties. These allied parties don't agree on much but trade off compromised policies to keep each other satisfied. Nothing of any value gets done.
Unelectable parties (like the current Democrat Party) always campaign for Proportional Representation (PR) but if they get into power, PR is quickly forgotten.
Winston Churchill famously stated that although the First Past the Post system has many failings, it is by far the best method.