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How does political polarization affect the functioning of democratic institutions?

Donnell Linne

Political polarization poses a grave threat to the functioning of democratic institutions. It is a term that refers to the extreme division of society on political issues, where individuals align themselves exclusively to one political ideology while actively rejecting other opposing views. Such a division dilutes the fundamental principles upon which democracy rests, such as mutual cooperation and respect.

Firstly, political polarization leads to the weakening of democratic institutions by creating an environment of constant conflict. When individuals are deeply divided on political issues, the main objective of the political actors is to emerge victorious in the conflict. This kind of political discourse paralyzes the functioning of democratic institutions, preventing them from executing their constitutional duties.

Secondly, political polarization inhibits the development of sound public policies. In a polarized environment, political actors tend to focus more on appealing to their base rather than formulating effective policies that benefit everyone. Moreover, a polarized society creates an atmosphere of mistrust and hostility, leading to the formulation of policies that primarily benefit a select few at the expense of the wider populace.

Furthermore, political polarization threatens the idea of collective responses to common problems. When a society is divided ideologically, every problem is viewed through the lens of political partisanship. Hence, issues that require collective action, such as climate change or pandemics, become highly politicized, creating obstacles to finding practical solutions.

Lastly, political polarization undermines the legitimacy of democratic institutions. Democracy relies on the idea that institutions, procedures, and rules are valued independently of the results they produce. However, when different political factions question the legitimacy of an institution due to their political views, it erodes the credibility of the entire democratic system.

To summarize, political polarization impedes the functioning of democratic institutions in many ways. It weakens the institutions, inhibits the development of sound policies, creates obstacles to finding practical solutions, and undermines the legitimacy of democratic institutions. Therefore, it is critical to address the issue of political polarization if we want to safeguard and strengthen democratic institutions. This requires politicians, media, and society to work together towards a shared vision of cooperation, compromise, and respect for different viewpoints.