Will we ever escape politics' doom loop?

Why does every Republican or Democratic victory almost immediately result in defeat? And will it ever end?

Washington's doom loop.
(Image credit: Illustrated | Images courtesy iStock)

What if, Friedrich Nietzsche wondered in 1882, a demon came to you and said that you were condemned to live every moment of your life over and over again in an endless cycle of repetition for all time? "Would you not throw yourself down and gnash your teeth," he asked, "and curse the demon who spoke thus?" That, my friends, is what American politics sometimes feels like.

Consider the following. In 1992, Bill Clinton was elected on a wave of hopey-changey elation, a charismatic young president (only 46!) sure to transform the country as the vanguard of a new generation of leaders. Two years later, Republicans took control of Congress, enabling them to make Clinton's life difficult for the rest of his time in office. Then in 2000 they elected one of their own, George W. Bush. Democrats grew fed up and disgusted with Bush, leading to a sweeping win in 2006 in which they took back Congress, enabling them to make Bush's life difficult for the rest of his time in office. Then in 2008 they elected one of their own, Barack Obama. The ensuing backlash delivered Congress back to Republicans, who proceeded to make Barack Obama's life difficult for the rest of his time in office. Then in 2016 they elected one of their own, Donald Trump. And now there is another backlash underway, one that promises to give Congress back to Democrats.

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE
https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up
To continue reading this article...
Continue reading this article and get limited website access each month.
Get unlimited website access, exclusive newsletters plus much more.
Cancel or pause at any time.
Already a subscriber to The Week?
Not sure which email you used for your subscription? Contact us
Paul Waldman

Paul Waldman is a senior writer with The American Prospect magazine and a blogger for The Washington Post. His writing has appeared in dozens of newspapers, magazines, and web sites, and he is the author or co-author of four books on media and politics.