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.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
An Era of Intense Competition
- American politics has entered an unusual era of intense political competition.
- Control of Congress and the presidency shifts frequently, unlike earlier periods of one-party dominance.
Exogenous Shocks and One-Party Rule
- Long periods of one-party rule are often caused by major events like economic crises or wars.
- These events discredit one party, hindering real voter choice and fostering extended dominance.
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.
