Media discourse has it that deepening polarization is core to current domestic discord.
In this piece, I’ll argue that “polarization” isn’t the right word for what’s occurring. That would imply a comparable split towards two extremes for what is in fact one-sided: mainstream conservatism adopting the extremist, self-destructive, and nihilistic rhetoric of its once fringes.
There is no comparable shift by mainstream liberal parties, contrary to the the claims of conservative podcasters. I would venture that such assertions fall into the “every accusation is a confession” line of political messaging.
An inevitable conclusion
I believe the conservative embrace of extremism is a natural outcome to decades of revisionist history and myth-making. As people started to understand the world with more nuance, the simple stories told by reductive or fictional historical accounts that made conservatives feel superior needed to one-up themselves to remain prescient. Parallel to this has been an effort by conservatives to undermine the very skills needed to identify credible information, as these threatened the circulation of their fabrications.
I think fundamental to it all is that conservatism is ultimately a political banner for selfish and emotionally stunted individuals. It’s a religion that accepts these as virtues so adherents can justify antisocial behaviour with the legitimacy of a major political party. It’s a movement with enough people that they can afford think tanks and media empires to present these as for the better good. But all of that is just fluff so that they can feel good about attacking trans people or programs for the poor and whatever other self-serving act emotionally stunted people clamor for.
This is the conservative movement, after all, that’s taken to disparaging the very notion of empathy.
Self-destructive tendencies
One of the consequences of this historical denialism is that conservatives are now seeking to destroy common goods built out of the death and toil of past generations. They’re seeking to eliminate public health care, vaccination and fluoridation, non-partisan bureaucracy, disability supports, rent control, unionization, science research, renewable energy production, weekends, the UN, among so many others.
The hard-fought lessons that led to their creation are intentionally forgotten by a political movement that not only eschews curiosity and humility, but renders these character flaws. It’s a paradox that only by being conferred the very benefits they now wish to destroy can they afford to be this ignorant.
We all end up paying the price for this ideology, which does not content itself by remaining in the bounds of their supporters. They mean to constrain everyone’s liberties: the liberty not to die of childhood diseases, or to suffer tooth decay, or access books, or wear clothes of your choosing, or be free of harassment at school and work, or access reproductive care, or afford rent. Pair this with perverting institutions to intentionally make people less informed, and that is a potent and dangerous recipe.
This is where we find ourselves in 2026. This isn’t polarization. This is one side being captured by the worst among us and making it all our problem.