Bipartisanship

What Is Bipartisanship?

Bipartisanship, a term often tossed around in political discourse, refers to the ability of opposing parties to find common ground and work together for the greater good. It’s like two ships passing in the night, each with its own course but occasionally aligning their paths to navigate through tricky waters.

The Contrast: Partisanship vs. Bipartisanship

But what happens when these ships decide not to budge? That’s where partisanship comes in – a situation where parties stick rigidly to their own interests, often at the expense of compromise and cooperation. It’s like two stubborn friends who refuse to share toys, making playtime less enjoyable for everyone.

Bipartisanship: A Path Through Gridlock?

When bipartisanship works, it can lead to a smoother passage through political challenges. However, if the issues at hand are central and not peripheral, finding common ground might be as elusive as finding a needle in a haystack. This is where gridlock sets in – a state of no progress due to disagreement.

Bipartisanship in Two-Party Systems

In two-party systems like the United States or Ireland, bipartisanship can be particularly challenging because it requires both parties to set aside their differences and work together. For instance, during Ronald Reagan’s presidency, there were instances of bipartisan cooperation on foreign policy initiatives. But domestic policies often remained deeply partisan.

Historical Context: Ireland’s Two-Party System

In Ireland, the two-party system was dominated by Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil, both center-right parties with similar ideologies but different social bases of support. Despite their similarities, these parties maintained distinct identities due to historical differences stemming from the Anglo-Irish Treaty.

Examples of Bipartisanship

Bipartisanship isn’t just a theoretical concept; it has real-world applications. For example, in Canada, brokerage politics have seen successful bipartisan efforts. Similarly, the UK’s Labour-Conservative agreements during times of crisis demonstrate that even bitter rivals can come together when necessary.

UK Politics: A Case Study

During the Conservative/Liberal Democrat coalition government in 2010, there were instances where these parties worked together to address urgent matters. This was a stark contrast to the more partisan tone of domestic policies during Barack Obama’s presidency.

The Critique: Bipartisanship and Its Challenges

While bipartisanship can be beneficial in certain situations, it has its critics. Some argue that it can obscure differences between parties, leading to a tyranny of the majority where voters are forced to choose between two large parties. This can make it difficult for smaller or niche parties to gain traction.

Research Insights: Forming Alliances

Despite these challenges, research by Berkeley professor Dacher Keltner suggests that forming alliances between adversaries is possible. This means that even in the face of historical divisions, bipartisanship can still be achieved if both sides are willing to put aside their differences.

Conclusion

Bipartisanship is a delicate dance between opposing forces, requiring both parties to find common ground and work together. While it can lead to positive outcomes in certain situations, the challenges of maintaining bipartisanship in deeply divided political landscapes cannot be ignored. Nonetheless, as history shows, with the right mindset and willingness to compromise, even the most unlikely alliances can be formed.