The American Experiment tested whether groups with diverse interests could unite under a declaration of common principles. In this moment, we face a critical juncture that tests whether distrust and political fervor could drive Americans to abandon or deny everything that unites us.
Henry Bolingbroke contends that party spirit inspires “Animosity and breeds Rancor.” Talking of his countrymen, he wrote, “We likewise derive, not our Privileges (for they were always ours) but a more full and explicit Declaration”; Whigs and Tories can unite on this alone. That Declaration of Ours was penned by Thomas Jefferson when his colonists repelled the redcoats at the Siege of Charleston and when Washington’s troops were awaiting battle in Manhattan. The American Declaration set out those principles, which united the diverse colonies. And the party system, as Bolingbroke said, brought animosity and weakened the Union. Critics disputed these claims. William Warburton attacked Bolingbroke as an evil-speaker with “dog-eloquence”—claimed his calls for party reform were an aristocratic conspiracy to cement the power of elites. An anonymous critic argued that the government is a union of unrelated people where laws supplant the natural bonds between families. Then, the government of the United States would not exist, or would not exist long.
The American Experiment unified the colonies with diverse interests under common principles—protecting the natural rights of all people. Today, our union stands divided. Americans view their “enemy” with disdain; politicians denounce their opposition as racists, groomers, baby killers, elitists, and un-American tyrants. It seems Americans may abandon those uniting principles, the foundation of our union, to “win” or destroy the indefensible other side.
Biden said in a 2022 speech, “Donald Trump and the MAGA Republicans represent an extremism that threatens the very foundations of our republic.” While Trump has called Democrats un-American and treasonous. Both men launched fiery language at their opponents to garner support for their agendas and bids for reelection. Sadly, this is the precedent in modern politics, where politicians portray half the country as immoral, unpatriotic, and dangerous.
Republican and Democratic politicians have transparently acted against the Constitution and the founding principles. Trying to keep the former President off the ballot, Republicans voted to impeach Biden officials on fourteen occasions, silencing their opposition by banning books, unlawfully prosecuting hate speech, and attacking the Judiciary for upholding our laws and checking the power of the President. Furthermore, the two-party system has established an order protecting the power and influence of members of Congress: Winning their seats uncontested and serving for decades, unpunished for favoring the interests of lobbyists, and becoming lavishly wealthy from insider trading, unreported gifts, and corruption.
The sharp rise in political violence is another sign of failing democracies. According to Statista, less than 10 percent of Americans felt political violence was justifiable in 2017; three years later, 30 percent of Americans felt violence could be the means for meeting their political goals. FBI Director Christopher Wray gave a heartfelt testimony in 2022, saying, “I feel like every day I’m getting briefed on someone throwing a Molotov cocktail at someone for some issue. It’s crazy.”
On New Year's Day, a veteran broke through a police vehicle and rammed into a crowd, leaving thirteen people killed. This is among several acts that we remember: Paul Pelosi being assaulted and hit in the head with a hammer, the political assassination attempts on Trump, the massacre in Charlottesville, and the recent plot to abduct Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer for her COVID policies. Americans are promoting change through acts of brutality; they have lost faith in their leadership and feel their liberties are in jeopardy. They believe the other side is attempting to destroy democracy and take away their rights. People are concerned about the state of the Second and First Amendments, affordable healthcare, exposing children to the alleged LGBTQ agenda, depriving people of transgender healthcare, and restricting abortion access.
Our anonymous critic had one concern, which I hope will encourage those still listening to speak loudly, animate people blinded by politics, and talk to the unreceptive crowd. He concludes, on the fallen states, one ambitious, vengeful, or capricious man “is enough to arm all the rest, without any private Views of their own, to the worst and blackest Purposes.” The people who fight tyranny on party lines are waiting for this one man—such people are already being exploited to ignore what they would have previously found vile, such as breaking up families, insurrection, or Democratic Congressman Tom Suozzi suggesting violence against President Trump, saying, “This is where the Second Amendment comes in quite frankly.” Some voters are numb to insurrection and threatening violence against the President, deporting students, separating families, and prosecuting free speech. This seems a credible threat to political stability, which demonstrates the dangers of our partisan divide, not just to civility or the interests of voters, but the real threat of tyranny and oppression. Americans must remove themselves from one-sided media and inflammatory politics. They must make themselves impartial to partisan insults and simplistic narratives. They must strip our politicians of their stage and stature, judging the ideas—if any—behind their punchy words and wheedling speeches.
People have become flooded with fear-mongering and political attacks. Americans, the majority, are rejecting their personal feelings and blindly supporting their side, which has led to more political violence and breaches of our Constitution and founding principles. People who blindly follow their party and have few of their own are exploited by any politician who rises, seeking to uproot American democracy and take power.
Luke Harris is an op-ed author who writes about the US, UK, and international politics, policy, and culture. He has been published in outlets like the North American Anglican and the Conservative Woman.
