How American Bipartisanship Can Be Saved
Polarization has become the default setting in American politics, but the stakes of a functioning democracy demand more than slogans. The question isn’t whether bipartisanship is possible; it’s how we rebuild the daily habits that make it practical. The idea isn’t to erase differences, but to design systems where those differences can be negotiated into durable solutions. In the spirit of reform-minded leadership, including voices like Bob Inglis, we can chart a path that treats policy outcomes as the true currency of progress.
A shared map for action
At its core, bipartisanship is a question of incentives. When politicians believe that cross‑aisle collaboration will help them deliver for their constituents, they will invest in it. The challenge is to redesign incentives so that cooperation isn’t the exception, but the expectation. This means identifying issues where common ground exists, and creating structures that reward genuine problem solving over partisan theater.
Listening first, solving together—this is how durable policy is built.
Two practical realities shape this effort. First, many Americans care deeply about core issues—jobs, security, health, education—and want results that work in their communities. Second, institutions—from primaries to committees—often amplify conflict unless they’re deliberately adjusted to value collaboration. By focusing on shared goals—clean air and affordable energy, strong schools, safer neighborhoods—we can begin to move beyond red versus blue toward a pragmatic center.
Concrete steps for lawmakers and citizens
- Commit to regular cross‑aisle bills. Establish a standing practice of introducing and voting on at least three moderate, evidence‑driven measures each year with co‑sponsors from both parties.
- Expand problem‑solving caucuses. Support issue‑based groups that pair legislators with advisers, local leaders, and subject‑matter experts from different backgrounds to draft durable policies.
- Reform primary dynamics. Explore open or ranked‑choice voting options to reduce the fear of alienating a base and to enable more centrist candidates to compete effectively.
- Prioritize accountability over rhetoric. Require transparent progress reports on major bipartisan initiatives, with clear metrics and public updates that aren’t buried in a press cycle.
- Invest in listening culture. Host regular town halls and district conversations focused on listening rather than scoring political points, inviting independent mediators to facilitate.
- Align campaign finance with collaboration. Encourage small‑dollar donor models and transparent accountability measures that reward problem‑solving over negative campaigning.
A culture that supports compromise
Beyond process, bipartisanship flourishes when the culture inside and outside the Capitol values civil discourse. That means candor without contempt, disagreement without dehumanization, and a shared commitment to consequences for unchecked obstruction. Leaders who model restraint, who admit uncertainty, and who celebrate small, tangible wins can shift expectations for what it means to govern well. In this spirit, the conversation shifts from winning the next election to delivering the next service—from maintaining power to rebuilding trust.
Lessons from the field
There are glimmers of progress in policy spaces that ignore party labels in favor of outcomes. When lawmakers cross the aisle to protect veterans’ benefits, to improve rural health clinics, or to strengthen disaster preparedness, they demonstrate a practical version of courage that isn’t about spectacle but stewardship. Citizens can reinforce this dynamic by recognizing constructive bipartisanship in action—supporting well‑designed compromises, even if they don’t align perfectly with their broader partisan identity.
As reformers have shown, long‑term gains come from endurance. The next phase of American governance will demand both patient listening and disciplined negotiation. It will require politicians who aren’t afraid to risk a little compromise for a bigger, lasting result—and constituents who reward that restraint with trust and participation.
Your role in saving bipartisanship
Democracy is a contact sport. If you want to see more bipartisan progress, start by engaging where you live: attend a local town meeting, reach out to your representatives with thoughtful questions, and participate in discussions that include people you disagree with. Support civic groups that promote issue‑based collaboration and encourage candidates who put policy outcomes ahead of party advantage. The work won’t be glamorous, but it will be essential.
Ultimately, saving bipartisanship isn’t about turning back the clock to an imagined era of perfect cooperation. It’s about constructing a future where principled compromise is the norm, and where the country’s common ground is broad enough to accommodate evolving solutions. If we invest in listening, align incentives with progress, and value outcomes over partisanship, American politics can regain its capacity to solve the problems we all share.