American politics has become increasingly polarised in recent years, with deep divisions emerging on a wide range of issues. In this exclusive interview, renowned political commentator Donald Blair offers his insights into the factors driving this polarisation and explores potential solutions to bridge the divide
Donald Blair, a keen observer of the American political landscape, discusses the impact of gerrymandering, the Electoral College, and social media on the nation’s political discourse. He also shares his thoughts on the future of American politics and offers advice to young people interested in making a difference.
Polarisation and extremism
Q: How do you see the current state of American politics? Are we truly more polarised than ever before, or is it simply amplified by social media and other modern factors?
“Deep-seated political differences have always existed”
A: It’s undeniable that we’re in a highly polarised era. Social media has undoubtedly exacerbated divisions, but it’s important to remember that deep-seated political differences have always existed. What’s unique about today is the intensity of these divisions and the lack of common ground. We’ve witnessed a decline in civility and a rise in partisan animosity.
Q: What are the most significant factors contributing to the rise of political extremism in the US? How do these factors interact with each other?
A: That’s a great question. Three interrelated factors keep coming up again and again. So, number one is the law. Number two is spending and money, which is always an issue. And then the third is tech. Those three things keep playing out in our different issues. For example, the 1996 Communications Decency Act, in an attempt to encourage early internet entrepreneurs, had a small section that protected social media sites from liability for content they published from other sources. Facebook, Twitter, and other social media sites began generating billions of dollars of revenue. They found they could grow those revenues further by algorithms that target people with content that appeals not just to their interests but to their biases and prejudices.
So, whether it be social media or gerrymandering, those three factors keep reemerging and continue to contribute to the rise of political extremism. Additionally, the influence of dark money in politics has allowed special interest groups to shape the political agenda.
Social media has further amplified these trends by creating echo chambers and spreading misinformation. The interplay of these factors has created a toxic environment that fosters extremism.
Gerrymandering and the Electoral College
Q: How does gerrymandering impact the political landscape? What are the consequences for voters and the democratic process?
A: Gerrymandering is a major contributor to political polarisation.
Gerrymandering, which has led to the creation of safe seats, has incentivised politicians to cater to the extremes of their parties. Let’s say you want to run for US Representative. First, you have to win your party’s primary election; then you have to win the general election by going up against the other parties’ candidates. In a district with a balance between parties, candidates need to move to the middle to win the general election. However, because of gerrymandering, certain districts are now pretty much guaranteed to go with a certain party no matter what, leaving no incentive to move toward the middle.
Gerrymandering, by manipulating district boundaries, creates safe seats, reduces competition, and discourages moderation. This leads to more extreme candidates and policies, as politicians are less accountable to a diverse electorate.
Q: What role does the Electoral College play in exacerbating political polarisation? Are there viable alternatives that could better represent the will of the people?
A: The Electoral College can amplify the impact of gerrymandering and other factors that lead to polarisation. For the most part, the Electoral College is a winner-take-all contest for each state. Whether a candidate gets 51% of the vote or 99%, all the electoral votes of that state go to the winner. Because most states tend to lean to one party or another, it only makes sense for Presidential candidates to focus on the minority of swing states where there is no clear dominant party. Focusing on a handful of swing states can disenfranchise voters in other states, and it has resulted in two US elections where the winner actually got less popular votes than the loser.
While there are various proposals to reform the Electoral College, such as the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact, significant constitutional changes would be required to implement them. The most practical path, although slower, is changing the system on a state-by-state basis. States have the power to decide to award their electoral votes in other than a winner-take-all manner. Two small states have done that, Maine and Nebraska, but it would take a long-time for the other 48 states to follow them.
Bridging the divide and the future of American politics
Q: How can we bridge the political divide and foster constructive dialogue between people with differing viewpoints?
A: We need to find ways to empower the middle. The middle tends to be lost in some of these political discussions. So, take immigration, which is a big discussion here as it is in Europe and the UK. While one side is trying to build a wall, and the other side is trying to let more people in. And if you have anything in the middle, you get attacked by both sides. So, nuance is a very hard thing to communicate. The biggest challenge is getting people to understand that many of these things aren’t black-and-white issues with a simple answer.
But if we appoint independent non-partisan districting commissions to address gerrymandering, look at moving to a popular vote instead of a Electoral College vote, and other measures to correct for the extremism we’ve encouraged, we will return the gravity of the middle majority to pull politics back to the centre.
Q: How do you see the future of American politics? Are there any hopeful signs on the horizon?
A: While the current political climate is challenging, there are reasons for hope. A growing number of young people are engaged in politics and are demanding change. Additionally, there is a rising tide of grassroots activism and social movements working to address systemic issues. By continuing to fight for justice and equality, we can create a more just and equitable society.
Q: What advice would you give to young people who are interested in getting involved in politics and making a difference?
A: I think sometimes young people get frustrated with politics. It can be hard to see real changes happening nationally, causing young people to lose passion and interest. It’s often easier to see change happen on the local level, and I encourage people to get involved and make a difference there first. There are important issues affecting schools, policing, business development, and municipal services that are greatly affected by local efforts. By participating in the political process on that level, young people can have a significant impact on their communities, which can spill over into the nation as a whole. It’s important to remember that change is possible, but it requires sustained effort and dedication.
Donald Blair’s insights offer a sobering assessment of the current political landscape. While the challenges are significant, he remains hopeful that through informed dialogue, civic engagement, and a systematic commitment to democratic values, we can bridge the divide and build a more united future.
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