The Lesser of Two Evils: John Adams' Warning on Political Polarisation in Modern Democracy
Election season is in full swing as November is right around the corner. Voters have never been this polarized in America’s history. The upcoming election brings me to the old adage with a twist, “the lesser of two evils is still evil.”
The phrase "the lesser of two evils" has become a common refrain in modern politics,. Debates about the nature of compromise and its impact on democratic governance could be viewed as necessary pragmatism. Othersargue it leads to a gradual erosion of ethical standards and public trust in political institutions.
President John Adams, a key figure in American political history, expressed deep reservations about the two-party system. He warned, "There is nothing which I dread so much as a division of the republic into two great parties, each arranged under its leader, and converting measures in opposition to each other." Adams recognised that such polarisation could force voters into a perpetual choice between suboptimal candidates, rather than selecting truly virtuous leadership.
The "lesser evil" argument in today's political landscape often becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. Voters often compromise their ideals to support the less objectionable candidate, political parties have reduced incentives to nominate exemplary leaders. This pattern can result in a downward spiral, where ethical standards decline little by little over time and the bar for acceptable behaviour in public office continues to lower.
In the 2024 presidential election cycle, the voters are certain to compromise their ideals. Americans’ choices for president boils down to two octogenarians: The sitting president Joe Biden and the former president Donald Trump. Of course, there’s the Green Party, Independents, and the Libertarian Party but all they can do is “steal” votes from either party and disrupt the outcome much like Ross Perot and Ralph Nader did.
Moreover, “the lesser of two evils” approach can foster voter apathy and cynicism. When citizens feel compelled to choose between flawed options consistently, they may become disillusioned with the entire electoral process. This disengagement poses a significant threat to democratic participation and accountability.
Ironically, when a person invokes the “lesser of evils' choice when it comes to politics, it always seems to fall on the candidate of the party they supported. The phrase is used only as a justification for the choice they intended anyway.
The concept of choosing the lesser evil has roots beyond politics. Thomas à Kempis, a 15th-century Christian mystic, wrote in "The Imitation of Christ", "Of two evils, the lesser is always to be chosen." Thomas à Kempis was addressing spiritual matters, contrasting earthly suffering with eternal damnation. Applying this logic to complex political decisions oversimplifies the nuanced challenges of governance.
In the political sphere, accepting "the lesser evil" can lead to a gradual normalization of unethical behavior. What was once considered a compromise may, over time, become the new baseline, pushing the boundaries of acceptable conduct ever further. This slow drift can result in a political environment that would have been unthinkable to previous generations.
Instead of resigning ourselves to choosing between evils, voters and political leaders should strive to create a system that encourages and rewards true virtue and competence. It would be a requisite for comprehensive electoral reforms, campaign finance overhauls, and media landscape changes. It also demands that citizens remain engaged, informed, and willing to hold leaders accountable to higher standards.
At the end of the day, choosing "the lesser of two evils" may seem pragmatic in the short term, it risks long-term damage to our political institutions and civic culture. As we navigate the complexities of modern governance, we must heed Adams' warning and work towards a system that offers genuine choice and upholds the highest ethical standards in public service.
In short, “the lesser of two evils” is still evil. Evil is evil in God’s eyes.
2024© ElbyJames CC BY-SA
ABOUT ME
I’m an American disabled, combat vet who supported the 2nd MEF in OIF III in 2005. I was deployed to Iraq in al-Asad, Ramadi, and Camp Hit and I convoyed all over Iraq and Kuwait.
I’m a cultural and social critic and I briefly delve into political commentary. I write from the viewpoint of a tax paying, God loving, veteran.
I’m based in London so I see America from the outside in.
Enough about me, send me your thoughts and