MSC Political Compromise Course Supplement for Week 7

 

“Governing With Campaigning Continued, and Conclusions”

 

Copyright © 2019 Bruce W. Hauptli

 

There are links to some "Additional Source Materials" and the end of this supplement! 

I. “Governing With Campaigning Continued:

 

Our authors sum up their discussion of various suggestions for how governing with campaigning (that is promoting a strongly competitive compromising mindset—one committed to principled prudence mutual respect, and robust competition).  They conclude that:

 

(188) any reform effort that seeks to promote more participation and at the same time sustain the disposition for compromise will need to look beyond political structures to social institutions such as media and civic education.  We cannot count on politicians or political movements to make the changes…. 

 

They discuss each of these in turn. 

 

(E) Minding The Media:

 

They note that (189 there is a problem with appealing to the media for help in making governing with campaigning possible as media cover governing as if it is campaigning—because conflict “sells.”  

 

190 There is intense competition for audience-share, and reporting on complex negotiations does not attract audiences.  

 

196-199 They discuss several possible “fixes:”

 

--196 media could use “focus groups” to gain and to report so as to promote a better understanding as to what voters actually want (of course these couldn’t be “base groups”).    

 

--197 Journalists could spend less time on the campaign trail, alternate the candidates covered, and develop expertise on the core issues and subjects which they could utilize as they report.  In addition they could report on coverage which promotes understanding of the need for compromising in governing. 

 

--198 They could use “response boxes” on web-based reporting sites where readers can “vote” on whether or not the articles “help citizens understand better the challenges of governing.” 

 

(F) Strengthening Civic Education:

 

199-202 They say that perhaps the best hope for the future is the sort of civic education which promotes an understanding of compromise and its place in democracy. 

 

They conclude the chapter by reiterating that campaigning is necessary for identifying and giving choices to voters, but shouldn't “spill too far over” into governing. 

 

II. “Conclusion:”

 

204 Melding the mindsets is difficult in normal times, but in the current setting it is yet more difficult! 

 

205-210 Both politicians and citizens need to understand the two mindsets and the fact that the status quo is certainly not ideal!  Misunderstanding them reinforces resistance to principled prudence and mutual respect (which are essential to compromises). 

 

210-214 Voters seem to have a preference for divided government, are suspicious of government expansion, but are dissatisfied with the status quo.  The political divisions are deep, but

 

213 it is because political disagreement is fundamental and likely to persist for the foreseeable future that the need for compromise is so great.  The deeper the disagreement—the larger the sacrifices required, and the stronger the mistrust generated—the greater the need for the compromising mindset.  Governing may be more difficult in these circumstances, but it will become impossible if the uncompromising mindset of campaigning continues so thoroughly to dominate the political landscape. 

 

If the current dilemma is to be resolved, there will need to be increased institutional supports for principled prudence and mutual trust (or respect) and citizens in general will need to come to understand the importance of these traits and to support them.  . 

 

[The End]

 

III. Other Ideas For Promoting Governing With Campaigning:

 

We have already discussed several things Maine has initiated which seem to help constrain competitive campaigning and, hopefully can assist in encouraging compromises:

 

qualifying for office via signatures

ranked choice voting

Clean Elections Law

term limits

 

We’ve also discussed the importance of fostering civility and civics education, but we need to further discuss each of these as well as other ideas for enhancing principled prudence and trust or mutual respect. 

 

Indeed, perhaps, we first need to discuss trust and mutual respect.  Our authors sometimes, it seems speak of one and at other times the other.  How do they differ, and how are they overlapping?  When discussing “deliberative democracy” they seem to emphasize the importance of mutual respect, while when talking about political compromise they speak more of trust. 

 

For Tuesday’s class consider things politicians and citizens in general can do to promote principled prudence, mutual respect, and trust. 

 

To the above list I add two further things Maine has done or may do:

 

disallowing lobbyists’ contributions to campaigning during sessions

a bill for "open primaries" [LD 211]

 

Let’s add to this list and discuss in class! 

 

Of course, we also need to discuss what should be done if compromise is impossible, too costly, or requires too great a sacrifice. 

 

Some Additional Source Materials:

"The Double Crisis and the Civic Mission of Education"

Civic Education Policies: State Profile - Maine

Maine Common Core Social Studies Standards (see pp. 7-10 for civics education related material).  I believe these are up for revision this year, but the process is likely ready for Legislative action at this point)

New York Times Article About Some Establishment Democrats Again Agonizing Over Senator Sanders' Candidacy

Next: “Toleration, Intransigence, and How To Proceed In Either Case”

 

Return to Hauptli's MSC Spring 2019 Course Website

 

Last revised on: 04/27/19