Chapter 8 - When Bipartisanship Becomes Irrational Flashcards
What did the Merrick Garland nomination fight reveal about the state of American bipartisanship and norms?
It exposed that informal norms—like holding hearings for qualified Supreme Court nominees—no longer hold when partisan stakes are high. McConnell’s refusal was not illegal but norm-breaking, showing how polarized identity politics now override institutional traditions.
How does Ezra Klein use Juan Linz’s theory to critique the American political system?
Linz argued presidential systems are unstable because of divided democratic legitimacy between branches. America survived this historically due to weak, ideologically mixed parties. Now that parties are strong and polarized, the system’s design encourages gridlock and dysfunction.
Why does Klein argue nationalization of politics contributes to polarization?
As voters care more about national identities than local issues, politicians no longer have incentives to prioritize district-specific needs. This undermines cross-party cooperation and turns every vote into a national ideological signal.
What is the paradox of close political competition, according to Frances Lee?
When power frequently changes hands, parties are incentivized to obstruct rather than cooperate. Governing becomes a strategy to win, not to collaborate—because any win for the other side could cost you the majority.
How has the Senate filibuster evolved from a rarely used tool to a partisan weapon?
Originally an accidental rule change, the filibuster was historically constrained by norms. As those norms collapsed, it became a go-to tool for obstruction—used not to express dissent, but to paralyze governance and make the majority appear ineffective.
Why are transactional practices like earmarks viewed differently today than in the past?
Once seen as pragmatic deal-making, they’re now condemned as corrupt. But eliminating them removed a key mechanism for bipartisan cooperation—replacing tangible negotiation with ideological purity and performative politics.
What risk does the debt ceiling standoff illustrate about America’s institutional design?
It shows how structural quirks—like separating borrowing votes from spending votes—enable minority factions to trigger global crises. Norms once prevented misuse, but polarization has made even catastrophic leverage fair game.
Why does Klein say the informal system of American governance is failing?
The Constitution depends on norms—compromise, deference, restraint—to function. As those norms erode under polarization, the system’s flaws (like gridlock, minority rule, and deadlock between branches) are no longer masked.
What role has the ideological sorting of the Supreme Court played in polarization?
Justices now vote almost exclusively along party lines. This ideological predictability turns Court appointments into existential battles for both parties, raising the stakes and incentivizing maximalist strategies like blocking nominees altogether.
How does the shift from local to national political identities impact governance?
It flattens regional diversity, removing incentives for representatives to break with their party for local interests. This change hardens partisanship and makes coalition-building across party lines increasingly rare.
