Within the last few years the political and social climate of our country has grown increasingly tumultuous, from the uprising on Jan. 6 to the violent Portland protests, both poles of the political spectrum continue to grow more and more radical. Manifestations of this polarization are evident not only on the large scale, through sweeping political action, but also in seemingly mundane, daily life. 

Our everyday life is fraught with political tensions which can seep into conversations, social media exchanges and even personal relationships. Disagreements have transformed into ideological battlegrounds, where finding common ground feels increasingly impossible. The simple act of discussing one’s differing opinions has become rife with animosity and an almost instinctive need to “choose sides.” 

Numerous studies conducted ultimately showed when voters are faced with two different policies, most of the time they say they have the same beliefs as their constituent parties. It shows that in our current state of division, party affiliation matters more to voters than the efficacy and feasibility of a policy or incentive. This is problematic for many reasons. 

Firstly, this sort of dogmatic loyalty is a hindrance- it is a collective blindness where voters are so deeply entrenched in their party, they aren’t able to think critically about specific policy. This causes a shift in focus from reaching practical solutions through compromise to political theatre. It seems as though party loyalty has become the primary determinant of opinion rather than substance, and this results in people supporting policies that may not even align with their best interests solely because they are tied to a singular political identity. This sort of unyielding loyalty allowed President Donald Trump to push forward with polarizing rhetoric without significant consequences within his party. Republican lawmakers, knowing their constituents would continue to support them as long as they backed Trump, often refrained from criticizing his actions. This further deepens the divisions across party lines and allows for sycophantic behavior among Republican legislators.

Even issues that could have garnered bipartisan support, such as criminal justice reform or infrastructure development, were often sidelined because of the strong partisan allegiance that dominated the political landscape.

Secondly, the rampant political polarization creates a pernicious social environment where collaboration and compromise across party lines is exceedingly difficult. Ultimately, this polarization is affecting voters the most, so it is actually in our best interest as American citizens to help mitigate this growing factionalism. It is counterproductive and not conducive to collective forward progress. Politicians, knowing their supporters will back them regardless of the policies they push forward, may no longer feel the pressure to engage in cross-party dialogues or seek common ground. As a result, productive conversations that could lead to meaningful reform or innovation are overshadowed by ideological battles which in turn creates a rift, making it even more difficult for the government to function effectively. This lack of accountability from political leaders, fueled by their supporters’ unwavering loyalty, stifles the possibility of finding real solutions to the nation’s most pressing issues. Instead of focusing on pragmatic, policy-driven discussions, the priority becomes maintaining power within partisan lines. As a result, voters are left with little choice but to support a political narrative that doesn’t always align with their best interests or the collective good.

The consequences of this deepening divide are far-reaching. Not only does it weaken our political institutions, but it also creates an environment where mutual respect and understanding become harder to achieve. In a society as diverse as ours, it is crucial we move beyond dogmatic loyalty and engage in meaningful, respectful dialogue that prioritizes the country’s well-being over partisan affiliation.

Ultimately, bridging this divide will require both leaders and citizens to reevaluate their commitment to unity, to foster empathy and to put the needs of the nation above ideological loyalty.

The views in this column do not necessarily reflect the views of the HiLite staff. Reach Riva Jain at rjain@hilite.org.