How activism is warping American democracy

Activists have changed the way that growing numbers of Americans think about political reality itself — and not for the better

Pro-choice and pro-life activist clash.
(Image credit: REUTERS/James Lawler Duggan)

America needs less political activism.

That will sound absurd to many, but it's true. There are other and better ways to engage in democratic politics than pushing a narrow agenda, hyping its urgency and importance, and exaggerating the problems it would supposedly solve. Dispassionately analyzing the political scene is one alternative. Supporting candidates with a broader message that appeals to a wider swath of voters is another. Yet increasingly the latter two options are being swallowed by the activist mindset. And American democracy is suffering from the consequences.

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Damon Linker

Damon Linker is a senior correspondent at TheWeek.com. He is also a former contributing editor at The New Republic and the author of The Theocons and The Religious Test.