Minority Rule

Triangulation is the second most important skill for a politician, getting elected being the most important one. The object of the game is to divide one's opponents while maintaining a unified coalition of your own. It's a symmetrical game, playable from the right, left, or center, but only by politicians who succeed in becoming representatives. In America that means (conservative, establishment, and moderate) Republicans and (progressive, establishment, and moderate) Democrats. Third parties and independents need not apply.

The easiest division to exploit is the one that separates the respective party establishments from their partisan bases of support. This first diagram shows how Democrats use a carrot/stick approach by praising those "reasonable" Republicans who are willing to negotiate while branding the less amenable ones as "obstructionist". Many moderate and establishment Republicans pile on by branding conservatives as hopeless "idealists" and flattering themselves as "realists".

This second diagram shows how Republicans use a similar carrot/stick approach by praising those "reasonable" Democrats who are willing to negotiate while branding the less amenable ones as "obstructionist". Many moderate and establishment Democrats pile on by hippie-punching progressive "idealists" and flattering themselves as "realists".

Unlike the first two situations where there might be a clear majority in favor of whatever legislation is being considered, this third diagram shows how establishment Democrats and Republicans can get something passed with only the support of four Asplund Chart factions. Here the party leaders unite to marginalize both progressives and conservatives as "obstructionist idealists" standing in the way of "reasonable" mainstream compromise.

The other division to exploit is the one that separates the respective party establishments from their more moderate members. This fourth diagram shows how Democrats use a carrot/stick approach by praising those "reasonable" Republicans who are willing to negotiate while branding the less amenable ones as "partisan". Many conservative and establishment Republicans are routinely frustrated by the aisle-crossing "RINO" contingent that seems not to hold any non-negotiable principles. Using this strategy Democrats can get legislation passed that is opposed by a clear majority of the general population.

This fifth diagram shows the reverse situation. Republicans, too, can use a carrot/stick approach by praising those "reasonable" Democrats who are willing to negotiate while branding the less amenable ones as "partisan". Many progressive and establishment Democrats are routinely frustrated by the aisle-crossing moderate Democratic contingent that seems not to hold any non-negotiable principles. This strategy can be used by Republican leaders to advance party objectives not supported by the general population.

Unlike any of the previous situations, this third diagram shows how a bipartisan moderate establishment can get something passed without the full support of any faction other than the Moderates. Here back-room deals between "gangs" congressional moderates are crafted to induce the absolute minimum number of establishment Democrats and Republicans to sign on to their grand compromises. This, sadly, is the default method of making decisions in advanced democracies, especially when it comes time to craft "must-pass" legislation like budgets, omnibus spending bills, and debt-ceiling increases.