DEMOCRACIES DEPEND for their stability on four things. First, well-functioning institutions. Second, the delivery of good or at least decent outcomes for most citizens. Third, norms of reciprocity and forbearance. And fourth, certain character traits among both officials and citizens. While the four are closely connected, the last is the most fundamental.In particular, democracies require high levels of personal grace. They are gravely endangered by its opposite, which is savagery.
In the years between the Revolutionary War and the drafting of the Constitution, that risk was made palpable. Under the Articles of Confederation, local loyalties turned into intense tribalism, making a mockery of the very idea of a “United” States of America. Then as now, the risk of disintegration manifested itself in a kind of Manichaeism, in which citizens see the forces of good as pitched against the forces of evil.
Which side are you on? That question invites personal and political savagery. It makes self-government impossible. Over the last decades, America has seen an extraordinary spike in “partyism,” understood as automatic, intuitive enmity and even revulsion toward people of the opposing political party. In 1960, only 5% of Republicans and 4% of Democrats said that they would feel “displeased” if their son or daughter married outside their political party. By 2010, those numbers had skyrocketed to 49% and 33%.
What can be done by way of response? Well-functioning democracies rely on institutions that tend to treat political savagery as background noise. Such institutions ensure that while in office, most high-level officials may usually ignore that noise. They have the insulation to attend to their jobs. They work on behalf of economic growth, employment opportunities, education, clean air and water, food safety, occupational health and road safety.
americanmclass CassSunstein There's a reason I have PeacefulPartition as a thought experiment...
CassSunstein Members of the other political party say things that are at least as bad.
CassSunstein Oh, interesting. What are your thoughts of antifa?
CassSunstein Is Lynyrd Skynyrd back on tour?
CassSunstein It's not war. It's lack of appropriate social filters -- something our press and our fellow citizens are supposed to provide. Something should have been done to address conservative hate speech back in the 90s when it wasn't at such toxic levels.
CassSunstein Ummm, she committed crimes
CassSunstein Unless she's totally guilty the media is totally protecting her...but since the US media is only run by 'the Party' the people are obviously going to react as they lie over and over and over and over and over to protect their candidates....Cass's wife too with the unmasking...
CassSunstein And now you cannot point out a miscarriage of justice (slow clap)