Marty Lipset and Me
I had lots of contact with Seymour Martin Lipset back in the mid-1990s when I was a fellow at the Woodrow Wilson Center in D.C., and I share his liking for the two-party system. I am also an adherent -- as was he, if I remember correctly -- of the theory of critical elections.
As one approaches a critical moment, everything in the party system is in flux, as it is now, and this offers one of the two parties an opportunity to reconfigure the political universe. Most of the time, one party is dominant, and the other party plays defense. Since 1932 -- except, for a time, in the aftermath of 1980 -- the Democrats were dominant, and the Republicans played defense.
The breakdown of the system of party loyalty is a sign that we can, if we have the moxie, alter that hoary dynamic. In a sense, the Tea-Party phenomenon marks the return of Ross Perot. The Savings-and-Loan Scandal left Americans with a sense that their interests were being ignored, that the two parties had colluded against them. George W. Bush's abandonment of fiscal rectitude, followed by Barack Obama's irresponsible binge, has resurrected that species of discontent; and, in response, the Republicans appear to be turning themselves into a party of principle capable of effecting a realignment and reinvigorating the two-party system.
Marty, who was an old socialist, might not entirely like the outcome. But he would certainly enjoy watching the battle.
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Jun '10
Re: Marty Lipset and Me
Ross Perot chose a third party
Paul A. Rahe: Since 1932 -- except, for a time, in the aftermath of 1980 -- the Democrats were dominant, and the Republicans played defense.
the Tea-Party phenomenon marks the return of Ross Perot. ,
Assuming this parallel, the variations include - no figurehead, no third party. This allows for an integration that Perot did not. Fortuitous.
The Tea Party is cannibalizing the Republican Party - it may fully digest it and subsume it, or it might split it like Perot. If it splits it, we end up with the witch/zombie hysteria in Delware. If it digests it, we might metabolize the nutritious parts of the Republican Party and grow - into a principle based party.
The question returns: United We Stand...For What?
What are the principle in question?
Fiscal Responsibility? Duh!
To that end: Strictly limited govenrnment - YES!
Individual Rights? of course.
Rule of law? Yes
What are the principles of the party of principle?
If you build it, they will come. What is the house the Tea Party builds?
Edited on Sep 22, 2010 at 12:39pmAug '10
Re: Marty Lipset and Me
Thank you, Mr. Rahe. Parties are not like precious metals. They are like standing waves. An event happens in heavy traffic at 6:30 a.m. and though long cleared at 8:00 a.m., cars are still forced to slow down at a non-existent "scene." Historical events occur around which parties are defined. The parties in turn redefine the events. With time, the causes and the effects both dissipate. The old parties track, are influenced by, and in turn influence newer realities for a time--but eventually lose their power to do so due to internal disintegration and sclerosis of leadership. Gradually internal promotion based on merit is replaced by incompetence and inability to adapt. We are watching that. Two parties? Great! But that is not without periodic reorganization.
Re: Marty Lipset and Me
Very, very nicely put, Paul. You've restored my serenity--and sense of anticipation. On to November.
Re: Marty Lipset and Me
Gorgeous.
Re: Marty Lipset and Me
Amen. Incidentally, I apologize for being so slow in responding to Peter's challenge. I did not see his post last night (I was asleep by that time), and this morning I left at the crack of dawn for the Detroit Airport and the Pittsburgh area where I will give a talk shortly.
Jul '10
Re: Marty Lipset and Me
"...if we have the moxie..."
Edited on Sep 22, 2010 at 1:56pmJul '10
Re: Marty Lipset and Me
Well it seems that the Republicans are going to do their level best to insure that the Tea Party does invest in a Third Party - or should I say cause the Republicans to become a third party.
Have you seen?
Murkowski is going to maintain her status within the GOP in spite of what she's doing in AK with her Write Me In campaign.
That's the way to develope loyalty from the people, betray them!
Brilliant!
Edited on Sep 22, 2010 at 5:27pmJul '10
Re: Marty Lipset and Me
Good commentary folks.
A political impulse was generated in the early '90s. A hint of post-Reagan Reaganism that was perhaps birthed in the realization that, after Reagan, Republicanism turned out to be much of the same old stuff. In addition to Perot, we later saw this in Minnesota in the delicate face of Jesse Ventura.
This impulse crosscut many of the traditional R/D divides. Using the wave analogy from above, it has roiled the surface ever since. These folks wanted to like G.W. Bush. Then realized he didn't get it. They wanted to like Obama - they really did. He quickly disabused them.
Rather than invest further hopes in an individual savior, they erupted in a "Mad as Hell" moment. In a sense the wave has reached the shore, and is unleashing a torrent of energy. Can it be captured? I hope so. But it cannot be done by coopting or cannibalizing or redirecting. The wave of energy now called the Tea Party demands actual results. That someone walk the talk. If the GOP cannot bring itself to do this then we are in for an extended period of chaos.
Jul '10
Re: Marty Lipset and Me
I like it, Shanahan. And I forgot about Ventura. Good job.
May '10
Re: Marty Lipset and Me
Paul A. Rahe: [....] a sense that their interests were being ignored, that the two parties had colluded against them. George W. Bush's abandonment of fiscal rectitude, followed by Barack Obama's irresponsible binge, has resurrected that species of discontent; and, in response, the Republicans appear to be turning themselves into a party of principle capable of effecting a realignment and reinvigorating the two-party system.
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Yes! This is what I mean when I say there's been no huge ideological swing among the people. Some inching rightward, yes, but the U-turn in their thinking (see NR this week) took place under Reagan: "Liberal" has been a naughty word for thirty years now.
Obama's great gift has been to usher in an age of clarity, in which the Democratic Party is manifestly the home of the rejected ideology of liberalism, and the Republican Party is the American people's only option as a home for good sense, for their views.
Hence the wave. And hence the opportunity--see Chris Christie--for Republicans to propose, articulate, and carry out good-sense conservative solutions, with the American people on board.
Edited on Sep 23, 2010 at 10:21amSep '10
Re: Marty Lipset and Me
I'm right there with JD. Every time I begin to think the GOP has come to their senses, the senior leadership steps up and kicks me firmly in the groin. I am fairly certain that the Republicans will reap some stunning gains in November. I am also not persuaded that they won't throw all the gains away well before 2012.
Edited to add this link for a piece I just read showing the the Repubs still don't get it
http://www.nationalreview.com/articles/247183/gop-roll-over-death-tax-phil-kerpen
Edited on Sep 23, 2010 at 5:52am