The United States of America was the frontier of liberty within the world as we know it. The first modern nation to establish a constitution, independent of monarchial or autocratic chains, that represented the sovereignty of the people. Its people galvanised by the common values of civil liberty, prosperity and welfare. Why has this shared belief dispersed into a physical and political warzone of ideologies?
To understand the current climate within the USA, it is imperative to empathise with the different ideologies that collide in the nation. In the most simplistic framework, the political landscape is divided into a progressive, and opposing, conservative wing. These ‘wings’ are a dichotomy, or the so-called unbreakable duo. Ying and Yang. One cannot exist without the other, and both will continue to exists whilst the other survives.
The progressives strive for changes and improvements to the institutions within the nation, no matter the cost. Whilst the conservatives commit to stability and continued legitimacy of the executive, legislative and judicial branches that bind the American society together, at the expense of progression.
The progressive wing embodies a bucket of different beliefs that ultimately promote the increased welfare of all people unilaterally. Usually through social welfare programs such as Medicaid, ObamaCare and NGOs such as Planned Parenthood, as well as limiting the power of wealthy individuals and corporations. Whereas, the conservative wing represents the various values that strengthen representative institutions (government, religions, community groups) that are regulated by the people. This is achieved through the financial support of law enforcement and diminishing the tax burden for citizens and small-medium businesses.
Contrary to popular belief, these wings have changed political allegiance drastically over-time. The progressive wing was represented by the Republicans (and Whigs before them), their first presidential leader being Abraham Lincoln. His anti-slavery approach and determination to build public infrastructure epitomized his progressive mantra. Whilst the conservative wing was dominated by the pro-slavery Southern Democrats.
The first physical battle of the progressive and conservative wings manifested in the Civil War. The progressive Republicans determined to free the enslaved African American population in the South. Willing to literally die for change and destroy the institutions that permitted the archaic practice to thrive. As the Confederacy and the conservative Southern Democrats battled to maintain the autonomy of their own institutions. The cost? 618,000 human beings.
In the aftermath of the Civil War, the make-up of the dominant political parties transformed into the parties we know today. Of course, the conservatives retain power in the Republican party, whilst the progressives exercise their influence through the Democratic platform. However, the most important lesson is that progression and conservatism do not have the same face, they change and adapt like chameleons to the political environment around them.
As the political landscape became popularised with the election of Ronald Regan. The Democatic and Republican parties began the second weaponisation of progression and conservatism. Political elections became corrupted by frivolity on both sides, driven by toxic campaigns designed to undermine the the core identity of the opposing power. Lobbyists bet on a winner through donations, like a sport. Political activists became guerilla warfare experts, striking their opponents with timely public protests to derail campaigns. As the notion of political chivalry died with a decaying nation.
This can all be seen in the light of day in the previous election, as Donald Trump championed the unspoken conservatives and Hillary Clinton rode on the passionate voices of a new, progressive generation. A divisive campaign on both sides militarised the conservative and progressive wings into combative forces determined to dismantle the other without the thought of consequence. Powerful media monguls glorified the battle into a noble and just war on their respective opposition. CNN, MSNBC and other mainstream outlets on one side; and Fox News with the assistance of right-wing social media news platforms bringing in the competition.
The death of George Floyd, was a catalyst that has renewed the war onto a new front. Protests in the name of progression have spread across many states in the USA, with the nucleus in Minnesota, Los Angeles and New York. Law enforcement has become the embodiment of the conservative wing, protecting the integrity of the institutions that provide liberty to the population. As the progressive protesters stand in unity, exercising their own liberty to battle against the oppression of not only the African American community, but also those lost within the system without a voice. This is no longer about the unjust and horrible death of an African-American man in police custody. It is war of two ideologies, an unofficial Civil War.
This is the Divided States of America. A country founded on liberty. Liberty’s children, progression and conservatism are fighting the eternal sibling rivalry.Who will win? Not the people. As evident in history, the only winners of any war are those that fund both sides. The TV broadcasters, corporations, corrupt NGOs and foreign powers.
As the forces of progression and conservatism timelessly collide, the real villains escape into the darkness without accountability. Can the American people spot them in time?
Daniel Dell’Armi
Live Your Story 