How Partisanship is Ruining Politics

The topic of politics has always been somewhat of a dangerous topic for discussion with family and friends, and what can start out as a friendly debate can turn into arguments. Since the 2016 election, the polarization in politics has only gotten worse. The two parties have gotten more and more separated in these past few years. This separation has caused the two sides to become hostile towards each other, with conflict mostly between those on the far end of the left or right.

Because of this, people would mostly assume that people who are friends with each other would share the same political values. Politics have become such a prevalent topic that it would usually make sense for people to stay in their own groups in order to avoid conflicts. But this isn’t always the case. Two best friends, Caitlin Quattromani and Lauran Arledge, gave a TED Talk about their experience as friends who belong to different parties, and how they have worked past their differences to keep their friendship intact.

In their TED Talk, they explain how in 2016 they both voted for different candidates, and both of them disliked the candidate that the other voted for. When the results came in, they supported each other instead of fighting or ignoring the issue. They also had an experience where one of them went to the Women's March and brought her sons. Her friend did not agree with her decision, but they talked about it and resolved the conflict. Because they have been able to work through their differences like this, they have kept their friendship for a long time. 

Polarization and partisanship in politics is a big issue. It makes it impossible to come to a compromises in government and instead lengthens processes such as passing laws. It also scares people away from politics because they do not want to get into conflicts. In my last blog post I wrote about how we need more people to vote, and this is yet another reason why people may not vote. If we could overcome the differences our political parties have and have more friendly discussions it could lead to a much less scary political climate. If we could just get to the point as a country where we can have political debates without them turning into arguments, it would make politics easier and would stop putting friendships at stake. 

Works Cited

Donkey and Elephant. Portable Press, Printers Row, 26 July 2016,  www.portablepress.com/blog/201.6/07/history-american-party-system-part/.                                  ⠀⠀⠀⠀Accessed 25 Nov. 2019.

Quattromani, Caitlin, and Lauran Arledge. "How our friendship survives our opposing politics."
        TEDxMileHigh, July 2017. Lecture.