When There’s No Synthesis

I had a conversation with my Dad about politics. Although in actuality we agree on more than we disagree, the topic has been a hard one emotionally in the past, so it had been a while. While we were talking, Dad said, “I just wish they’d work together to get something done. Isn’t that what its about?”

I couldn’t have said it better myself. I think most people, where ever they find themselves on the political spectrum feel the same way. We wish that there was less fighting, and less ideological posturing, and more getting done for the good of everyone. “Isn’t that what its all about?”

Well, what if its not. Sure, politics in a democratic republic is supposed to be about solving problems on behalf of the people your representing. But what if the system offers the biggest rewards to those who don’t get anything done and can stoke up our fears to get us to open our wallets?

Steven Dubner’s Freakonomics podcast called America’s Hidden Duopoloy explores this very idea: that maybe appearing dysfunctional is better business for the political industry than actually solving problems.

The situation they describe is what occurs when you have an alpha and a beta in a system that resist synthesis.

What can you do about it?

Remove the Motivation that Rewards the Division: For example, the Brennan Center for Justice offers four core policy recommendations to Reform Money in Politics.

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This episode was recommended to me by my co-worker Sean M. Thanks!