To Hell with Civility: Political Polarization is a Stepping Stone
Jennifer Nguyen (PPS ‘24)
To resolve our political woes, Republicans and Democrats must reach across the aisle. Only they can dismantle the ideological wall that they forged between them– or so many believe. From where I stand, politicians encourage both factions to fight it out in the ring while they stand on the sidelines and egg it on, stainless from blood spilled. Even if both parties were to call a truce to move forward, leaders would utilize such momentary peace to excuse inaction on their part. Hence, the U.S.’ greatest threat to progress is not a lack of civility; it is the assumption that civility will satiate demands for change.
To pave the way for policy that can satisfy the majority, politicians suggest we stop whining and let the adults get to work. Once we restore their nostalgic ideal of political civility, only then can the adults work to serve us. If citizens’ partisan disagreement over policy was the only obstacle preventing elected officials from acting, then the people must be to blame for fueling the animosity. Right?
Following the Covenant School shooting in Tennessee, students protested at the State Capitol to demand gun reform, echoing the 63% of Tennessee parents who favor firearm restrictions for school safety. Confronted with demands for accountability, leaders grasped for power instead of transforming policies to resolve the people’s grievances.
Again, comes the claim that incivility obstructs policymaking. Not only did the Republican-led House use the dissent as an excuse to defer action on gun violence until 2024, but they also voted to expel three Representatives for leading the protest. Since the Cold War, Tennessee has only censured two lawmakers: one for bribery, the other for sexual misconduct. The house voted to expel two of the representatives for egregiously shouting without recognition and disrupting proceedings. It is clear that our elected officials expect a certain status quo and are willing to inflame partisan hostility to obscure their inaction.
Critics argue that the onus is on voters for falling for political manipulation instead of adhering to their principles. However, research reveals that regardless of the expert information voters are given, individuals tend to blame the opposing party when governmental leaders fail them. Especially as American politics is colored by a binary of political representation, we are conditioned to only be attentive to information favoring our chosen camp. So how are we to hold them accountable if political leaders divert our attention and rile us up to get back in the ring?
Silencing people is not a tactic exclusive to Republicans. In 2022, over 100,000 railroad union members threatened to strike to fight for paid sick days– health needs that employers suggest vacation days should cover. Despite being a self-proclaimed defender of laborers, President Biden endorsed a Congressional act to block the strike, asserting that the “economic catastrophe [is] at a very bad time in the calendar.” Since workers exercised their right to protest for fairer working conditions at an inconvenient time for the President, the brokered deal could not offer one measly paid sick day.
The attempt to quell conflict exposes a trend wherein officials prioritize economic gain and self-interests over the needs of the constituents who elected them into power. Although a one-week walkout is estimated to cost the U.S. a billion dollars, federal intervention expunged workers of bargaining power against their employers. Ultimately, the President sacrificed labor rights for peace, while arousing political contempt against Republicans, blaming the complacency on “Republicans [not] see[ing] the light.”
However, amidst all of this political gaslighting, Tennessee’s expulsion had a happy ending, revealing the power that lies in uniting in democratic passion instead of civility. As each representative’s council had to refill their positions, both of their districts abided by the people and reinstated their champions for change. Though leaders suggest that action is contingent on the people stifling political polarization and being civil, Tennessee proves them categorically wrong. Rather than representing an obstacle to change, I argue that political polarization represents a turning point. We either continue fighting each other or realize we are fighting the wrong people.
To make use of this crossroads, I say we embrace political polarization to unite our fervor and strategies in developing a shared vision of America. Do not just be nice to one another. Question why our institutions are not nice to us. Be invigorated. Do not settle for their glamorized negative peace– wherein the people’s voices are silenced. Pursue positive peace– wherein the people’s voices are heard– together.
Jennifer Nguyen (PPS ’24) is from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and is a Public Policy Undergraduate at Duke University’s Sanford School of Public Policy. This piece was submitted as an op-ed in the Spring ’23 PUBPOL 301 course. This content does not represent the official or unofficial views of the Sanford School, Polis, Duke University, or any entity or individual other than the author.
