Politics in postmodern America

Politics in Post-Modern America

The only real change that has ever happened in American politics is the advent of political parties that came about between the presidencies of George Washington and John Adams. Besides that, there has been a history of continuity rather than change in the United States' political life. Granted, the political landscape has changed greatly but, regardless of the landscape, the prevailing constant has always been party politics.

At his farewell address to the nation, a somber George Washington warned:

Let me now take a more comprehensive view, and warn you in the most solemn manner against the baneful effects of the spirit of party, generally...It exists, under different shapes, in all governments, more of less stifled, controlled, or repressed; but, in those of the popular form, it is seen in its greatest rankness, and is truly their worst enemy

The alternate domination of one faction over another, sharpened by the spirit of revenge, natural to party dissension, which in different ages and countries has perpetrated the most horrid enormities, is itself a frightful despotism. But this leads at length to a more formal and permanent despotism. The disorders and miseries which result, gradually incline the minds of men to seek security and repose in the absolute power of an individual; and sooner or later, the chief of some prevailing faction, more able or more fortunate than his competitors, turns this disposition to the purposes of his own elevation, on the ruins of Public Liberty." (Washington).

Unfortunately, President Washington's warning fell on deaf ears and instead become more of a prophesy of the future of American political life.

Clearly, party politics have dominated American political life throughout our history. Whether we were in a time of war or a time of peace, economic prosperity or economic disaster, the issues were always divided down the party line. Even during World War Two, a period when popular culture would lead one to believe the entire nation was united behind the war effort, the parties were clearly divided on such issues as Roosevelt's New Deal Programs, with the Republican's being staunchly against it. (Kennedy).

However, after the World War and during the Cold War, party politics did give way slightly to the common trend of fighting off the Communist threat. Regardless of which party was in office, they had the popular stance of being tough on the threat of Communism's global spread. This remained true until the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, which symbolizes a shift in American political life. After Kennedy's assassination, party politics once again raised its head and, due to the cultural effect of the Vietnam War, dominated American political life.

Although at first the war caused the parties to scramble to find their identity, with the election of Richard Nixon it was quickly established that the Democrats were the anti-war party and the Republicans were the party tough on Communism. There was no in between and these were the two choices given to the American people. This general alignment continued through the Reagan years and the subsequent collapse of the Soviet Union and the end of the Cold War.

The Post-Cold War era, like the previous eras, has also been dominated by party politics. This fact is clear from the election results of both the race between Al Gore and George Bush and John Kerry and George Bush. In both elections, the nation was divided nearly fifty-fifty. The party who won claimed a mandate and gave the minority party no room for debate, regardless of the fact that nearly half the country was behind the Democrats.

Now, with the Democrats in control of Congress, they too are claiming a mandate and are pushing through their agenda. Only time will tell whether they too will ignore the fact that they only represent only roughly half the nation.