Why the Politics is so Toxic
Hearing the word politics, we can’t help but imagine the politicians arguing and attempting to score some points by degrading the other. Toxicity in politics impacts how we engage in conversations with our fellow citizens, especially those we disagree with.
Attacking the policy gets less attention than attacking the person itself
It would be nicer if politicians could only talk about the policies, their potential flaws and upsides, but instead we see the them ripping on each other to score the political points. This isn’t entirely their fault, they do this because it appeals to the masses. It turns out that people, in general, would be more interested in seeing two person degrading and humiliating each other than rationally talk about important issues. Long, reasonable and well thought out debates require an immense engagement from listeners end, but in this world of frenzy, people have completely lost their ability to focus deeply. Instead they will root for whoever manages to stand on a higher moral ground by degrading the other.
In a democracy, devaluing others gets you more Votes
In a functioning democracy, if you want to get more votes, the quicker way to do this is by making others have way less votes than you. This may be done by making the opposition appear as bad as possible in public’s eye. Accusing your opposition of doing every evil act that is humanly possible fills people’s mind with the distrust and hatred towards the opposition. If a politician is generally a bad person, but he somehow manages to cast its opposition in a more bad color, he sure has a way to power. This is very well understood by the politicians, and that’s why they spend most of their energy bitching about the opposition than genuinely talking about the reforms, and the policy changes that they will implement.
Opposition is an enemy (literally)
Politicians regard their opposition as an enemy, they see them in the same light as they see their enemy who can hurt them a big time. They don’t try to get along, because they see each other as a potential threat to their power grabbing struggle. To them the most important thing is to make it to the presidents seat, this urge blinds them to see others as normal human beings whom they can get along with. Some politicians who are hell bent on their ideology, believe that the opposing ideas or ideologies doesn’t just pose economical wrath, but it can outgrow so as to initiate major wars and killings. They do very little in understanding each other’s views, and the complete isolation, and consideration of opposition as an enemy make the matter only worse.
