A compromise may be defined as
“a way of reaching agreement in which each person or group gives up
something that was wanted in order to end an argument or dispute.”
Thus, a compromise becomes something that combines the qualities of
two different things.
Given the recent increase in political
polarization and staunch partisanship, many believe political
compromise is dead. The so-called "permanent campaign”
encourages political attitudes and arguments that make compromise
more difficult. Now, gridlock in Congress stalls important legislation and
prevents lawmakers from initiating needed changes.
An uncompromising mindset is
characterized by politicians' standing on principle and mistrusting
opponents.
According to Amy Gutmann, President of the University of
Pennsylvania and Christopher H. Browne Distinguished Professor of
Political Science, and Dennis Thompson, Alfred North Whitehead
Professor of Political Philosophy at Harvard University, “this
mindset may be conducive to campaigning, but not to governing,
because it stands in the way of necessary change and thereby biases
the democratic process in favor of the status quo.”
Reflections.
upenn.edu. December 2010.)
Campaigning involves mobilizing
supporters while articulating a vision that makes a candidate
distinct from his opponent. Often the campaigner employs tactics that
present their opponents as adversaries to be mistrusted and
ultimately defeated.
Gutmann and Thompson delineate
campaigning and governing. They say …
“But to govern effectively,
politicians must find ways to reach agreements with their opponents,
including members of their own ideologically diverse parties – even
some compromises that their own supporters may see as betrayals. This
tension between what is required in a democracy to win power and what
is required to exercise it is manifest in what we have called
uncompromising and compromising mindsets....
“The compromising mindset –
characterized by principled prudence and mutual respect – is more
appropriate for governing. It is not that one is legitimate and the
other not. Each has its place in the democratic process. But to the
extent that the uncompromising dominates the compromising mindset in
the process of governing, compromises that could reduce injustice or
increase welfare go unrecognized and unsupported. When the
uncompromising mindset overwhelms political thinking and action, it
biases the democratic process in favor of the status quo.”
"My Way or the Highway"
attitude cheapens our democracy. The refusal of government officials
to negotiation and compromise to find workable solutions shows
substandard governing skills – sometimes the parties are not
capable of effectively articulating what is vital for achievement
and, sometimes, an absolute, stubborn allegiance to party over
substance stops the process.
Of course, political parties have
distinct goals and differing beliefs. While goals
require responsibility, commitment and fortitude, life invokes
flexibility and compromise. What union is complete without sacrifice
and accommodation? Friendship? Employment? Marriage? Family?
Compromise is critical to the success of every social construct. That
includes politics.
Caring
political compromise should become a fully informed and intentional
act in which people balance commitment and concession
for the common good. The best compromise benefits both parties in
fairly equal measures of good so that even though some details are
conceded, the most beneficial understandings of both sides are
satisfied. Naturally, other less balanced agreements must occur,
especially when justice demands dictates the demand.
It is true that politics presents
unique obstacles to reconciling differences. These are inherent in
the governing process. Problems always present multiple solutions. So
often, politicians turn to the Constitution for guidance. And, how
can each side make concessions when they can’t even agree on basic
Constitutional principles?
I found some inspiring words from
Robert Frost, not the famous poet but an instructor and flight
controller at NASA who spent 10 years training astronauts and flight
controllers on the guidance, navigation, control, and propulsion for
the International Space Station. Frost says ...
“'Politics is an art of
compromise.' Chancellor Otto von Bismarck didn't say that. The
quote about politics and art that Bismarck is famous for
is:
"'Politics is the art of the possible, the attainable - the art of the next best.'
“However, as to the oft said 'politics is the art of compromise,' it is an idea that the American political system could benefit greatly from. Even a cursory examination of the political ideas of the left shows they are simplistic nonsense as does cursory examination of the political ideas of the right. Workable solutions take elements from both sides. Workable solutions eschew ideologues. Workable solutions come from politicians that realize they represent all constituents, not just the ones that voted for them.
“Politics is about negotiating consensus and cooperation between factions.
“The effective politician is pragmatic and pragmatism welcomes compromise.”
"'Politics is the art of the possible, the attainable - the art of the next best.'
“However, as to the oft said 'politics is the art of compromise,' it is an idea that the American political system could benefit greatly from. Even a cursory examination of the political ideas of the left shows they are simplistic nonsense as does cursory examination of the political ideas of the right. Workable solutions take elements from both sides. Workable solutions eschew ideologues. Workable solutions come from politicians that realize they represent all constituents, not just the ones that voted for them.
“Politics is about negotiating consensus and cooperation between factions.
“The effective politician is pragmatic and pragmatism welcomes compromise.”
(Robert Frost. “What do people think about the saying 'politics
is an art of compromise' by Otto Von Bismarck?” Quora.
November 02, 2014.)
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