A look at why is our politics becoming so dysfunctional. My favorite paragraph:
Unlike most other Americans, conservatives seem to believe that compromise represents defeat. It would take a subtle historian to explain why. Perhaps they think that because so many forces are pushing in the direction of bigger and more intrusive government, compromise will alter the pace of change but not the direction. If so, a politics of intransigence represents their only hope; never mind the risks.
via William Galston: Why Republicans Aren’t The Only Ones To Blame For Polarization | The New Republic.
I think the weakening of parties as vehicle interested in governing and needing do so to have a future may matter too. That is politicians have less reason to consider the future, or are less pressured to do so by their party that may have a long time horizon than they do.
Brucetheeconomist's Blog 