Much of government functions on decorum and unwritten rules. When political actors attack these norms—like challenging procedural traditions—it creates a cycle of retribution that destabilizes the entire system more profoundly than any single illegal act could.
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The appeal of a populist leader lies in their rejection of traditional political norms. When the electorate feels betrayed by the established "political class," they gravitate toward figures whose rhetoric is a deliberate and stark contrast, signaling they are an outsider.
When a norm is violated publicly, it threatens the common knowledge that the norm exists and is enforced. The resulting public punishment, like a digital-age pillory, isn't just about the transgressor; it's a signal to the entire community that the norm is still in effect, thereby restoring common knowledge.
When one political party prioritizes governing and maintaining standards, it's disadvantaged against a party that prioritizes drama and disregards those standards. The governing party is forced onto the defensive, constantly reacting to manufactured outrage instead of advancing its own agenda.
Major political realignments are not always triggered by specific crimes but by a pervasive 'vibe' of elite entitlement and impunity. Revelations that expose a culture of being above the law can act as a societal 'let them eat cake moment,' sparking a revolutionary shift in public sentiment and policy priorities.
The legislative process is notoriously slow, but this is an intentional feature. The Constitution's structure creates a deliberative, messy process to ensure that laws with nationwide impact are not passed hastily. This "inefficiency" functions as a crucial check on power, forcing negotiation and preventing rapid, potentially harmful policy shifts.
Beyond headline-grabbing scandals, the most insidious impact of a kleptocratic administration is its refusal to enforce existing laws, from financial regulations to anti-corruption acts. This quiet dismantling of the legal framework fosters a culture of impunity where bad actors thrive, ultimately harming ordinary people and destabilizing the entire system.
The US has historically benefited from a baseline level of high competence in its government officials, regardless of party. This tradition is now eroding, being replaced by a focus on loyalty over expertise. This degradation from competence to acolytes poses a significant, underrecognized threat to national stability and global standing.
Using legal attacks against political opponents ("lawfare") is a societal gangrene. It forces the targeted party to retaliate, turning elections into existential battles for survival rather than policy contests. This high-stakes environment creates a powerful incentive to win at any cost, undermining democratic norms.
The best political outcomes emerge when an opposing party acts as a 'red team,' rigorously challenging policy ideas. When one side abandons substantive policy debate, the entire system's ability to solve complex problems degrades because ideas are no longer pressure-tested against honest opposition.
The current political dynamic, where one side consistently forgives norm violations, is unsustainable. Game theory suggests a better strategy is 'tit-for-tat with forgiveness': respond in kind to adversarial actions to establish consequences, but also offer an off-ramp back to cooperation. This is more stable than endless retaliation.