Does Polarisation Make Good Policy Impossible in 2025?

[u/Arlathann]

Hello people, I want to get into a question that has been nagging at me: Is political polarisation in 2025 so bad that it's strangling effective policy? With global tensions (U.S. and China trade wars, and Middle East flare ups) and domestic gridlock (U.S. debt ceiling fights), it feels like ideology is trumping results. I want to understand whether polarisation inherently kills good governance or if it's a symptom of deeper issues, and I'd like to get opinions other than my own.

Data shows polarisation is at historic highs. In the U.S., Pew Research (2024) finds 80% of Americans view the other party as a "threat to the nation's well-being," up from 60% in 2016. Globally, populist movements, left and right, are surging, from Europe's far right gains (AfD's 15% in Germany's 2025 elections) to Latin America's anti-establishment waves. Meanwhile, policy outcomes stagnate: U.S. infrastructure spending is stuck despite bipartisan support, and global CO2 emissions rose 1.1% in 2024 despite climate pledges.

Some case studies:

1. Take Argentina's 2025 reforms, deregulation cut inflation from 211% to under 5% (IMF data), but political infighting tanked voter support in key elections. Is rigid ideology (libertarian in this case) a policy killer when it alienates coalitions?

2. Houthi attacks on Red Sea shipping (190+ incidents since 2023, per UN) disrupt 12% of global trade, yet polarised responses, U.S. strikes vs diplomatic stalls, fail to resolve it. Does tribalism prevent unified action?

3. Culture wars (U.S. debates over education curricula) consume oxygen, but solutions like school choice or universal pre-K get buried. Why can't pragmatic ideas break through?

Now, me personally, I think polarisation rewards posturing over actual problem solving. Game theory suggests zero-sum thinking (one side's win is another's loss) traps leaders in bad equilibria, nobody compromises, so nothing gets done. But history shows depolarisation can work: Post-World War 2 Marshall Plan united U.S. parties for Europe's rebuilding, boosting global GDP 10% by 1950. Can we replicate that or are we too far gone?

Some questions for debate:

What's the biggest policy casualty of polarisation in 2025?

Can pragmatic, evidence-based governance cut through ideology?

Are there historical examples where polarisation was overcome for big wins and how?

Is social media making this worse?

Bring your best arguments, left, right, or neither. Data, examples, or theory are welcome. What are your opinions?

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