Extreme partisanship

Introduction

Extreme partisanship refers to the tendency of adhering rigidly to a given sect, party or political ideology that one belongs. It normally involves political rivalry characterized by conflict with other groups.  Excessive partisanship in American politics has emerged from more fragmentation of the media that is politically targeted, congressional districts that are homogeneous and Washington’s centralized power.  Extreme partisanship been known to have very negative impacts in other countries and in American concept it can result to eroding of liberty which is a very important aspect of democracy.  Over the recent decades, political campaigns especially presidential campaigns have shown the profound partisan divisions, with Democrats and Republicans having more negative perceptions of opposing party than ever before. In a period of networked parties it is possible to take various measures that can mitigate extreme partisanship among Americans.

Changes in electoral politics have over the time contributed to the current unprecedented degree of partisan and polarization in the society.  It has also been agreed that many of state legislatures and Congress have been polarized historically and the trend has been growing over the years.  The concern for many is that elected officials are indulging in partisan interests at the expense of the nation’s common good (Frisch & Kelly, 17).  This kind of polarization begins at the primary elections and extends to the national elections though the former is less pronounced since candidates who lose at the primaries do not proceed to the general elections.  The voters in that case are at times left to decide between the candidates who are ideologically extreme who are not a representation of  many in a particular district. Of more importance is the possibility of this extreme partisanship leading to authoritarian rule when such individuals ascend to presidency at Washington (Frisch & Kelly, 17). However, such sentiments are not only found among the candidates but also among the electorates themselves. This can be proven by recent research that has shown that members of different parties hold extreme negative views against their opposing parties.

Research has shown that many republicans and democrats relate negatives characteristics with electorates for the other parties while associating positive traits with their own party.  They division is more pronounced along ideologies while partisan antipathy is becoming more extensive and deeper than in the past decades. A survey has also shown that of the 10,000 adults who participated in the research, the divisions are more among the individuals who are actively engaged in the political process.  The trend is manifested in various ways both in everyday life and in politics arena (Doherty & Kiley, 1). This kind of partisanship has the ability to inhibit the willingness of the people to listen to, collaborate with and respect one another. However, it is encouraging to know that such sentiments are not held   by majority or all the Americans since many are those with no liberal or conservative perceptions and most do not view either party as presenting threat to this nation (Doherty & Kiley, 1).   In addition, many do not view the parties as posing a threat the wider nation and believe that representatives should resolve contentious matters rather than just pursue their desires. Many at the center find themselves at the extremity of politics, relatively disengaged and distant and those who are politically bitter and ideologically oriented raise their views through more participation in every political process stages.

1. Media and extreme partisanship

An important aspect in extreme partisanship is the role played by media in polarizing the political field.  It has been noted by some political observers that a media that is increasingly fragmented has contributed to further partisanship where they reinforce the predisposition of electorates instead of challenging them (Masket, 1).   In the past few decades any person watching the news for any reason was being exposed to generally the same kind of stories with similar interpretations across the major networks, and political discourse would start with various set of facts and common framework.  Such kind of shared experience has been shattered by the emergence of cable industry and new networks.  People are currently exposed to any ideological interpretation of political events that will fit their own predispositions (Masket, 1).   The presence of many partisan media networks means that people can choose to listen to interpretation that will greatly and explicitly emphasize their beliefs and avoid those offering alternative points of view and hence leading to a  politically polarized population. For instance, liberals are likely to choose watching MSNBC and republicans are likely to choose Fox News, even though those with a dislike for politics may have other options that allow them to avoid it (Levendusky, 1).  The earlier times, these people would have been exposed to information and news on politics may be by watching TV news at specific times with no options available. Since they can avoid news presently, they have less of such information and are not likely to actively participate, which means that more choice for media strengthens these extremes and hollow out the center dividing the voters more(Levendusky, 1).

 The impacts of partisan media on electorates are seen on their choice, feelings towards bipartisanship, participation and one’s compromise.  Such kinds of effects are observed more on those individuals who are extreme, suggesting that they media play a role in polarization by moving them further from the center rather than enhancing ideological distribution center.  Putting the above mentioned effects on context,   the programs promoted by these new outlets attract a small audience of electorates but who are greatly partisan, politically involved or interested and are also more likely to have their views heard by those in power (Masket, 1). The issue is whether those who get information from these outlets   transmit these effects to other electorates who are no –viewers. If they are able to do so, it means that the media plays a big role in enabling extreme partisanship in the American society and the opposite is true.  However, little is understood about the effect of media in polarization of political environment (Levendusky, 1). To know the effects of media on partisanship level would involve carrying out the effects on those individuals who are politically active and whether they translate such effects onto to other members of the public.

1. Effects of extreme partisanship

Extreme partisanship can be a large contributor towards eroding liberty and introducing authoritarian rule and it can be dangerous more dangerous than expected.   It may leave a nation susceptible to authoritarianism regardless of democratically progressive a country is. It is common for autocrats to exploit animosity that may exist among political groups since it assist them in consolidation of power.  When political groups despise others and their views, they are likely to agree with falsehoods that are disseminated or told about their perceived rivals (Frisch & Kelly, 16).  In this sense, an authoritarian become source of information favored and trusted by such groups even as their understanding and grasp of truth is undermined so that they are easily controlled.  This widens the divisions so that people are unable to find common ground independently, leaving the authoritarian to come up with unilateral decisions that violates their basic rights. Such tendencies could be observed as anticipation for Donald Trump presidency was gaining steam, even though Americans seems to have found common ground on key ideals such as shared right of liberty and the importance of guarding the nation’s democracy.  On the other hand, committed partisans on both political divides could be observed whether they attacked their own and their opponents whenever they found a common ground.  These are the kind of political habits that lead to extreme partisanship where the interest of the party is placed before the common good of the nation (Frisch & Kelly, 17).  Even though   policy differences between the left and traditional right are healthy, they are not supposed to hinder uniting American in defending the constitution and democracy.

Mitigating extreme partisanship would take the efforts of political parties and their members, media and the individual voters to avert any charged animosity driven by political differences and varying personal beliefs.  Political parties should embark on political reforms beginning with primary reforms so that there is an end to closed primaries.  This can allow independent registrants or voters from other parties to take part and therefore produce a set of nominees that is ideologically diverse. It could also be necessary to encourage more turn out in the primaries so as to avoid them from being controlled by individuals who are already ideologically extreme (Masket, 1). In addition, it is important to address to address the issue of excessive partisanship or polarization of elite party instead of just concentrating on mass polarization.  The elite party can form an engine for improving civility in American politics while reducing partisanship extremism.  It is also possible to shift political behavior by manipulating the social networks of politicians in legislative houses such as Congress where they can meet members of other big parties. It also possible for people with extreme ideologies o be encouraged to join bipartisan caucus and therefore increase the chances of legislators’ cross-partisan crossing (National Institute of Civil Discourse, 5).  Reformation across the media can also play a role in mitigating case of extreme partisanship and this is through moderating politics to an extent.  This involves the media avoiding taking partisan stands but finding a way of relaying information about building bipartisan consensus.  The media should exploit the opportunities available for airing consensus and engaging in such efforts offers reinforcement for different legislators who are ready to unify rather than dividing (Masket, 1).

Conclusion

Extreme partisanship to have very negative impacts in other countries and in American concept it can result to eroding of liberty which is a very important aspect of democracy. Research has shown that over the last decades , the American electorates has become polarized with members of the major political parties relating negative characteristics to their opponents while  holding a positive view of their own.  The issue has been made worse by the emergency of new and partisan media outlets that makes views to take hard line political positions.  It is possible to mitigate these effects through media and party reformations and softening the political views of both voters and legislators.  

Works cited

Masket, Seth. "Mitigating Extreme Partisanship in an Era of Networked Parties: An Examination of Various Reform Strategies." Secondary Mitigating Extreme Partisanship in an Era of Networked Parties: An Examination of Various Reform Strategies, ed Secondary———. Washington, DC. Reprint, Reprint .2014.1