Party system encourages division over good governance
Illustration by Erin Bushnell
Although election politics and debate is to be expected with any type of democratic process, the two-party system in the United States has only worsened political gridlock and party rivalries. By ascribing themselves to one of two groups, voters adopt an identity as a Democrat or Republican. Party members cheer on their candidates in elections, often with little attention paid to who is actually the most qualified candidate.
When the nominees are finalized by the end of spring, the presidential race will take a unsavory turn. In the run-up to the general election, the two candidates and almost the entire nation will engage in more than six months of character assassination. Candidates will suggest a slew of changes and reforms that will likely never reach fruition. Personal attacks abound, and the political process in Congress reaches even more of a standstill. For the next year, responsible policymaking and governance takes a back seat to the artful game of politicking.
Instead of recognizing this alarming trend and taking steps to resolve it, politicians contribute to this divisiveness and use it as a way to gain popularity and support. In the months leading up to the primary season, the candidates of both parties will appeal to the far-left and far-right members of the party. In an effort to dominate headlines and attract large donors, less popular candidates will out-do one another in a contest to deliver the most outrageous statements. Candidates are ridiculed if they are too moderate or do not agree completely with the party platform. It matters very little if entire segments of the population are insulted beyond measure, especially if those individuals are not a part of the typical party demographic.
To the outsider, it may appear that the dominant political parties resemble two rival sports teams. Each election night is treated like a tournament, with each individual election played like a game. Voters are treated more like points and goals than intelligent human beings. In the event of a loss, the losing party will vow to do better in the next election, working on its weaknesses and seeking to attack the winners at every turn. By giving voters only two groups to choose from, our political system encourages direct conflict and emphasizes winning over compromise.
The harm of the two-party system goes even further than this. The two dominant parties provide voters with only two options for determining their complete set of views on important issues. As social media and the news cycle feeds voters a constant stream of ideology and bias, many Americans determine their political views based on the party platform using no independent thought. Organizations like RedState and ThinkProgress present news and important information with heavy bias, and the readers of these sites receive only a limited representation of reality. Those who fail to meet the strict standards of being orthodox party members, are ostracized in these circles.
Not only does this system encourage our nation to be in a constant state of division over important issues, but it also does an enormous disservice to each individual’s stances on important issues. Although it is easier to be spoon-fed a list of opinions, voters must learn how to analyze information critically and make decisions independently of one another. Ideologies are sometimes useful in representing one’s general political stances to others, but it cannot serve as a constraint on free thought. It is necessary to be able to discuss political views with civility, accept each other’s differences, and seek a common ground.
Allowing third parties and nonpartisanship to develop will provide voters with more options to choose from and the ability to formulate their own views. This will encourage more diversity in views regarding important issues, and more sides and arguments can be critically considered. By making the political field less two-dimensional, voters would be able to express themselves freely and be unconstrained by the party platform. By encouraging plurality in political thought, most focus will be given to building common ground instead creating divisions.
Americans are given an enormous mandate to select the future leaders of this country, but they must remember that their views and choices are their own. Voters are not accountable to the health of the party or the success of the incumbent. More powerful issues, like the well-being of our government and the state of our nation, are at play.
Editorial by: Justin Joseph, Contributing Columnist
Staff Illustrator, Erin Bushnell
Erin is an illustrator and designer majoring in communication arts. She previously interned at Media General as a broadcast designer, and has contributed comics to the VCU Comics Anthology. Erin loves drawing weird animals and learning about social issues, as well as making editorial, book and food-related illustrations. She is mostly powered by chocolate milk. // Facebook | Twitter | Portfolio
