Partisan
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The meaning of the word "partisan" has changed over time.
Originally, in the 16th century, it referred to a particular type of pike, having long spear blade as a head with a pair of curved lobes at the base.[1] Over time, it gave its name to the people who continued to use it, often as an improvised weapon, instead of moving on to more "advanced" lumps of metal such as the halberd.[1]
These days, the word has come to mean one who takes a certain point of view and relentlessly promotes it, often with slim regard for the truth or reality. Many partisans have accomplished good things in the world due to their single-minded perspective (although it's really luck of belief). However, many have also enabled terrible things.
In the Eastern Bloc, "partisan" is the term used for guerrila fighters operating in enemy-occupied territory, especially during World War II. Most of these fought against Nazi Germany, but in some countries there were partisan groups fighting against occupying Soviet troops.
Let's focus here![edit]
In this article, we will refer to the Political Partisan: One who allies themselves with a party, and tends to favour their cause, sometimes even without considering other evidence. This is typically reasonable, say, if you chair a party,[2] but on the extreme end, it removes room for you to be scrutinised properly. In blunt terms, hardcore partisans don't give a fucking shit about the other side, even if they have a valid point of view. A brilliant example of when this kind of attitude goes horribly wrong can be found anywhere, but we can lock in one; part of the Democratic Party in the 1850s refusing to compromise on slavery, leading ultimately to a conflict so bloody that the US hasn't topped it since. Refusing to compromise on a position is inherently dangerous, as, even when you think you are correct, you may not consider a vital argument that means your point is invalid. Another name for a hardline partisan is a Cheerleader, as partisans bounce off each other and validate through asserting the ideas of like-minded people.
On the other side, the act of Bipartisanship is where one reaches across the political aisle to properly listen and appeal to the other side, without immediately discarding loyalty for your cause. This is, of course, generally a good idea. Say one is governing in minority, to get any legislation passed, they must appeal to members of other factions or parties, else they will never get a majority required. Promoting bipartisanship generally knocks down ideologues, which only makes the need for it stronger, and even on a social level, one should be meta-analysing news sources anyway for a proper perspective. Inevitably, you will possess some degree of partisanship allying with any political party, but that also means one must remember their own personal positions, as well as potentially notable alternatives. Civil discourse requires bipartisanship.
Infamous extreme partisans[edit]
Here is a list of some ridiculously partisan people you can look at in all their glory:
- Mitch McConnell - So partisan that he didn't even vote to convict Trump in the second impeachment, despite saying he was responsible for some absolutely fucked-up shit. Spineless.
- Donald Trump - Fits the bill, but really, he is only loyal to himself and his most loyal supporters.
- Ted Cruz - Absolutely obnoxious reactionary, who thrives on attempting to drag the Republican Party as far to the right as he can go.
- James Buchanan - The worst US president for this very reason. He stubbornly refused to compromise with abolitionists or get along with Congress and caused a whole blasted war because of him being a fucking traitor to the union by supporting the south.
- Most communists - Have a fervent hatred for anything "capitalism-related", even if it would massively improve a failing economy. Deng Xiaoping is one notable exception.
- Catholic Church - "We do not condone pedophilia, but never will punish it in our grounds". This, and many other examples throughout history of the Catholic Church refusing to compromise on anything.
- Ann Widdecombe - When the Church of England gave women actual rights, she fled to the Catholic Church and has used it as her shield ever since.
- Peter Hitchens - So ridiculously conservative that even rock music is too much for his pure ears. Even the modern UK Conservatives are too progressive for his likings.
- Stephen Harper - Republican in disguise. So partisan that he literally disabled anyone in his party from disagreeing with him, giving a strong indication of shallow authoritarianism.
See also[edit]
- Groupthink
- Ideology
- Political party
- Partisan Coffee House,
a left-wing hangout in '60s Soho