The Root of Ideology As The Beginning of The Cycle of Dysfunction
Since the cycle of dysfunction begins with ideology, we should explore its root, the reason for that root, and we should explore the way out. In today’s journal entry, we will, for the purpose of finding freedom or relief from it. In the next two journal entries, I’ll cover the same aspects of division and burnout.
The cycle of dysfunction
Read the introduction, part one, and part two of this journal series.
First, a point of clarification: for this series, I am defining ideology not simply as having ideas for possible solutions that we then consult with each other about, but rather ideas that don’t take into account the full picture and are then polarized to force us to take sides.
Based on my own observations and deeper reading while working on campaigns, in Congress, and in grassroots organizing, my view is that we prize ideology first because of what I’ve decided to call The Great American Addiction.
In American politics, The Great American Addiction is rightness.
Rightness is the root of ideology as the first step of the cycle of dysfunction. We are addicted to being right, to proving that we are right, and to attacking anyone who suggests that we are not right.
Being right is how we think we can establish our sense of worth (instead of recognizing that we already have it and can create from it). And we chase shiny objects* (whatever the next exciting thing is) in order to create the perception that our rightness, heroic value, and meaning are alive (instead of doing focused, quality work). American voters expect this though, because it’s often all we show them, so it’s all they know to expect.
We are therefore addicted to rightness because of how we define significance.
True significance is something that we all already have. Professionalism, craftsmanship, or collaboration ideally are all expressions of it, not the way to get it or prove that we have it. And the ways that we can express our inherent significance as human beings—and the degree to which we do through meaningful contributions to society—are often tied more to the amount of wealth that we have been given than they are to our character or work ethic—something we’ll explore more in part five of this series when we look at burnout.
So, we define significance as something to be created or obtained, and being right is often the way to prove that we have created or obtained it.
To be wrong is to be insignificant in American politics, and to be insignificant is culturally a death sentence, especially because we tie insignificance to laziness and poor character. To be significant is to be admired and probably trusted, professional, serious, and to have a respectable livelihood.
We can find the way out by finding insignificance.
Insignificance, often found in nature or in basic human activities like eating a meal, is how we find freedom from The Great American Addiction of rightness. As people of faith, we can also find insignificance when we pray. And that’s how we realize and internalize our inherent significance as we create and take part in restoration. Creativity is good, and shouldn’t be stifled by so-called spirituality.
From a Christian faith perspective, our addiction to rightness is also tied to selfish ambition as opposed to wisdom. When we see that the root of rightness is the way we view significance (ultimately, selfish ambition), we can move from significance to wisdom. Finding insignificance—in nature, through basic human activities, through prayer, or by listening to the voices of those who have been marginalized—is the first step towards wisdom.
In self-governance, wisdom is the bottom line. It’s what we should prize above all else, searching for it and asking better questions to see through the gaps and limitations of our ideology and rightness.
We can find freedom from ideology and The Great American Addiction of Rightness by searching for wisdom.
The lifestyle choices that can replace and reverse the cycle of dysfunction. We can build trust by staying grounded in wisdom and always searching for it.
The next two journal entries will explore division and burnout. The series will then conclude with a look at quality craftsmanship in politics and ways to live a creative lifestyle.
*A note on “chasing shiny objects” is in order: while we often chase whatever the next exciting thing is in politics for attention, rightness, or significance, this is not to say that we should never experiment or try new approaches within any defined purpose. Additionally, work in politics often has creative limits that can be more about stifling creativity (perhaps for the sake of stability in government) than about intentional, defined creative choices. But as image bearers of a Creator, it’s important to have creative outlets to be and become fully alive, and that’s one of the reasons Liberatus is first a creative outlet for professionals in American politics to write about how we can heal and unite the country.
In this article:
The Root of Ideology: The Great American Addiction of Rightness
Why Rightness is the Root of Ideology: Because of how we define significance
The Path to Freedom: Find insignificance to find inherent significance, and ultimately to prize wisdom first.
WEEKLY ACTION POINT:
Take a look at the vision overview as we look to produce a biannual publication. Take time to pray in nature about your vocation or calling. Then, you can set up a monthly recurring donation as a Liberatus Advocate at the tab below. You can also write Volume Two with us by responding to a one-question interview. We will compile responses to the question about the future you imagine into a new vision asset to guide the stories that we tell, the research that we include, and the partner organizations that we fund.
Finally, read James 3:13-18:
13 Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. 15 This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. 18 And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
Mission: Inspire American Unity
Liberatus offers inspiration for American unity in beautiful, well-researched illustrated journals, written by professionals across the political spectrum, to help us all choose unity, build endurance, and become the leaders who make our country more just and free for the next generation.
Journal Entry #144
ISSUE 021: THE BEGINNING, AGAIN — PART 3