The Gray Area with Sean Illing Best of: Frances Lee on why bipartisanship is irrational
Dec 3, 2020
Frances Lee, a Princeton political scientist and author of "Insecure Majorities," delves into the challenges of bipartisanship in the U.S. political landscape. She explains that the history of close competition between parties makes compromise irrational, despite the push for collaboration. Lee highlights the implications of political polarization, drawing from key events like the 2016 Supreme Court nomination crisis. She argues that the constant struggle for power often overshadows the potential for bipartisan cooperation, complicating governance in a divided government.
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Competition Nationalizes Politics
- Increased political competition nationalizes politics, raising the stakes of congressional elections.
- This draws national attention and resources to swing districts, intensifying the focus on national issues.
Competition's Impact on Political Behavior
- Intense competition shortens politicians' time horizons, making them focus on short-term gains.
- It reduces bipartisanship as parties prioritize winning the next election over policy collaboration.
National Review's Advice to Republicans
- The National Review advised Republicans against cooperating with Obama, arguing that bipartisan success would hurt their chances of regaining power.
- This illustrates how competition disincentivizes cooperation, even if it benefits the country.
