The United States is as politically divided as ever, with people identifying along party lines with individual politicians rather than their own country. Even without evidence, many Americans have started to doubt the integrity of our elections during the aftermath of the 2020 presidential election. However, despite current political instability, the country has been even more divided at other inflection points in American history, such as the Civil War and other moments of extreme political tension. However, despite the political divide, historically, citizens recovered and rebuilt, indicating that we can do so today as well. However, to be successful in this venture, we must continuously nurture democracy. Too many people take democracy for granted and fail to recognize its fragility. Even in a country like the United States, which has been a beacon of democracy for the past 200 years, democracy, if not actively cherished, can disappear.
First, Americans must stop denying the integrity of the 2020 presidential election, as there is no evidence that President Biden stole the election. Still, many public officials have rejected the legitimacy of the results, from rank-and-file members of Congress to more prominent politicians. Further, it leads those who are similarly minded to act on their anger and distrust towards the system. The attack on the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, is the foremost example of this. If public officials had not encouraged and emboldened supporters to storm the capital, they would likely not have done so. As for the political consequences of Jan. 6, it is now exceedingly difficult for members of opposing political viewpoints to establish solutions or compromises on difficult issues. Therefore, public officials who promoted these lies must rescind their statements and remind the public that the election was not rigged or stolen.
Additionally, remembering that governance requires compromise would help unite people of opposing viewpoints. Recently, extremist politicians have deemed crossing party lines to collaborate on congressional issues a betrayal of their respective parties. An example of this was the failed February border deal bill championed by Oklahoma Sen. Lankford (R), Connecticut Sen. Murphy (D) and Arizona Sen. Sinema (Ind.). The bill harbored provisions regarding the US-Mexico Border long sought after by both Democrats and Republicans, and countless members from both parties pledged support in the weeks leading up to the official vote. Unfortunately, new inter-party political tensions that arose while the bill waited to reach the floor derailed the bill and, more importantly, the bi-partisan effort behind it. This situation where both sides agree to support a cause, but their work is upended by a few individuals playing politics, is detrimental to building bridges across the aisle, as it prevents actual work from being achieved and leads to each side blaming the other as the problems facing them and their constituents persist. Thus, it is paramount that we all remember that compromise is an essential and equally necessary aspect of governance.
Next, keeping politics focused on public policy and interest rather than putting one’s personal interest or engaging in personal attacks is crucial for constructing a more favorable political scene. For example, politicians must cease prioritizing job retention and instead recognize that election loss or resignation can indicate progress if the decision resulting in this removal meant putting the American people first. Additionally, politicians must stop engaging in pointless arguments and instead work towards the best policy solutions for all Americans. We must realize that different opinions aren’t always wrong opinions, as we all hail from different upbringings and have had different life experiences. It is ludicrous to assume all Americans will uniformly approach every issue and consequentially assert that because someone disagrees with you, they must be evil or anti-American.
Lastly, institutions must allow free and open discussion of divisive issues to better understand their community. If people can meaningfully discuss sensitive issues without acting in a hateful, aggressive manner that infringes on the safety and sense of belonging of others, they can form significant connections and understand new perspectives. Hence, all institutions must offer a safe yet candid environment for these discussions to flourish.
Overall, watching the news or reading online articles suggests that the problem of political extremism is too severe to rectify. However, the above steps are tangible actions that all American citizens can pursue if they are willing to put in the effort. Like all areas of politics, cynicism cannot become the norm. Change will only come if we consciously embark on inspiring it.
