The current state of American political debate
To say that the mood of political debate in the United States is tense is an understatement. While some of the animosity between members of opposing sides of the political spectrum is simply media-driven pot-stirring designed to drum up ratings, there are real emotions at play. Just start a political discussion online and watch how fast it can get ugly.
There are two competing points-of-view about the direction this country should take. While at this point in time, the two perspectives have the titles of Republican and Democrat, or Conservative and Liberal; these are just labels. At the heart, the divide is about a more fundamental difference between two points-of-view – a rational point-of-view, and an emotional point-of-view. This societal split mirrors the split that is found inside each of us.
Conflict, however, is just a transitory state. The goal – unity, wholeness – is the same for both the individual and society. The methods for achieving that unity are similar whether we are talking about the individual or society.
Fears about letting the other side have control
Currently, we are playing the game of politics as if it were a zero-sum game. Each side fears that if the ‘other side’ gets the upper hand, that everything will be ruined. If the Republicans are in charge, all of our social programs will be dismantled, scientific progress will take a back-seat to kneejerk fundamentalism, and we will suffer at the mercy of all the baser drives of our society: greed, selfishness, and war-mongering. If the Democrats get too much power, they will systematically remove God from our land, scientific progress will trample over the crucial bits of us that make us human, and all the high-minded talk of sharing and cooperating will lead to us not having enough for ourselves.
If you see yourself as liberal, you might find conservative fears laughable. How could anyone imagine that any of us liberals are trying to change the future into a dystopia straight out of “Brave New World”? If you identify as a conservative, you might be scratching your head to figure out what is so ominous about having personal spiritual convictions, or caring about the fate of a fetus. While the fears may be expressed in hyperbole, there is an underlying element of truth to each side’s concerns.
The rational and the emotional sides of us as individuals
On an individual level, we can think of ourselves as being made up of two sides. Jung would call these sides the Conscious and the Unconscious. We could also say that we have a rational side, and an emotional side. The rational, conscious side wants to be practical, logical, and organized. It wants to be a grownup. The emotional, unconscious side wants to play and have fun.
In a conflicted person, these sides compete for dominance, and often work against each other’s interests. When the conscious side is in power, it’s all business. There will be no playing or fun-having around here. When the unconscious side is in power, it’s all about the fun. Good judgment isn’t going to win out over a chance to unwind and pursue adventure.
If the balance of power remains with one side for too long, the other side suffers. If the unconscious is too repressed for too long, then the individual loses vitality and passion, what Jung calls the libido. The unconscious cannot be destroyed. It will manage to break through, in a distorted form. It might manifest as nightmares, vague stress complexes, or externalized conflicts. On the other hand, if the unconscious side holds too much power, then it can bring unintended negative consequences down on the head of the individual.
The rational and the emotional sides of the political divide
Most of us tend to favor one side or the other, to a varying degree. So it makes sense that our political system would evolve to incorporate these two points-of-view into two political parties. Granted, the fit isn’t always perfect. Democrats and Liberals aren’t purely rational, and Republicans and Conservatives aren’t purely emotional. Fiscal conservatives and libertarian democrats are examples of exceptions to the rule. But there is a general correspondence. Listen to Democrats when they make fun of Republicans – they ridicule them for their perceived ignorance, irrational fears, and lack of logical cohesion. Listen to Republicans when they make fun of Democrats – they ridicule them for being out-of-touch eggheads who have their priorities mixed up.
Think about it. If you identify as Liberal, imagine that you have complete, legitimate trust that Conservatives will make a sincere attempt to incorporate your needs, desires, and wishes into every law that is passed, and every decision that is made. Would you have anything to fear if they had a majority in congress? No! Turn it around, if you see yourself as Conservative. Imagine that you have complete, legitimate trust that Liberals will make a sincere attempt to incorporate your needs, desires, and wishes into every law that is passed, and every decision that is made. Would you have anything to fear if they had a majority in congress? Again, no!
The goal
On an individual level, the solution to internal conflict between the two sides is not to let one rule to the detriment of the other. It is to find a way to unite both sides to serve a common, higher goal. It’s not that hard to see that both sides share a body, and that it is in the interest of both to cooperate. Accept the idea that both your rational and emotional sides need to come together for the greater good of you as an individual. Now you are ready to move on to the next step.
You must learn to accept that each side, emotional and rational, brings both positive and negative qualities to the table. Learn to see the value in the side that makes you uncomfortable. The unconscious, irrational side brings vitality, passion, spirituality to the individual. The conscious, rational side is good at foreseeing consequences, and helping the individual reach new goals. Combined, an individual can soar to new heights, and can accomplish incredible things that have the best of both worlds – passion and scope, youth and permanence, humanity and divinity. It isn’t a zero sum game.
This point of view can be brought to politics. The solution to the divisive political atmosphere is not about gaining a majority in one of the elections, and then systematically dismantling everything the other side has accomplished. It is to find a way to unite both sides to serve a common, higher goal. It’s not that hard to see that we all share one country, and that it is in everyone’s best interest to cooperate. We need to accept the idea that Liberals and Conservatives need to come together for the greater good of the nation.
We must also learn to accept that each side of the political spectrum brings value. Can you imagine what would happen if both sides decided to give and accept the best each has to offer? What if just 75 percent of the voting population decided to cooperate instead of fight? Who would be able to stop them? Imagine a nation where most people were committed to preserving scientific progress and sacred values, patriotism and diplomacy, social freedoms and basic human decency.
The way there
Of course, this is easier said than done. But there are people who have done this on a personal level. So it must be possible. Once we have accepted that both sides must cooperate for the greater good, that each has something very special to contribute, and that it is possible for them to unite, we simply begin acting to create that reality. We can start small.
On an individual level, there is a lot of trust that needs to be built up before both sides start cooperating. Sometimes, there is a lot of extra time and effort needed to undo years of conflict. But we all have to start somewhere. And there is no sense in throwing oneself into a huge life’s work until that trust is firm.
To build trust, one side needs to show the other side that it is interested in helping the other side fulfill its wishes. The conscious side needs to make room for play time. The emotional side needs to make room for coolheaded decision making. Both sides need to show, by attitude and action, that the other side is respected and valued. Over time, trust will grow, and each side will be more willing to surrender the illusory goal of control. The individual will evolve from incorporating alternating moments of work and passion in their life, to having a singular life that is simultaneously full of the best of both worlds in every instant.
The benefits of this individual work translate to society in general. When one person commits to making this change, they learn to work better with people in their immediate lives. Wholeness is contagious. As more and more people find individual wholeness, they translate these attitudes and skills to heal the political division in the nation as a whole.
An idea
Buy some of those round, color-coding labels – the ones that are a solid-colored circle. You can buy red or blue, grey, green, any color you like. It can symbolize your political point-of-view however you like. Stick it on your lapel, your hat, anywhere visible. Let it represent your commitment to political wholeness.
You could view it as symbol of some resolutions, such as:
I will treat others with respect, regardless of their political opinions.
I will do something nice for someone who is on the opposite side of the political spectrum as me.
If I engage in a political discussion, I will try to think of solutions that include everyone’s wishes.
I will let go of my visceral, reactive response when I disagree with someone.
I will try to understand the fears and wishes at the heart of other people’s words.
I will try to remember that we all bring something of value to the table.
I will evaluate politicians not just on how much they promise to make my goals reality, but how sincere they are about serving everyone
A message to politicians
Political winds are fickle, as long as politics are played competitively. Dissatisfaction with one party may move another party into political power in the blink of an eye. While the current situation is one of deep political division, progress is inevitable. People who become whole will succeed. Nations where people are united towards common goals will succeed. Politicians who earn trust by working sincerely for the best interests of everyone will succeed. Politicians who continue to squabble along party lines will be left in the dust as we wise up. It is inevitable.