Revenge Politics: How the Right Wing is Undermining Democracy to Settle Old Scores

This combative approach deepens political divisions, erodes democratic principles, undermines public trust, and weakens institutions meant to serve the citizenry.

Photo by Patrick Collins on Unsplash

Revenge Politics: How the Right Wing is Undermining Democracy to Settle Old Scores

In recent years, a troubling dynamic has taken hold of the political landscape: the rise of revenge politics. This phenomenon, most notably observed in the United States, sees right-wing lawmakers prioritizing the pursuit of personal vendettas over genuine governance. This combative approach deepens political divisions, erodes democratic principles, undermines public trust, and weakens institutions meant to serve the citizenry.

Retaliation Over Governance

At its core, revenge politics is driven by a destructive motive: to punish perceived adversaries rather than address pressing societal needs. Instead of focusing on solutions to critical challenges like healthcare access, income inequality, or climate change, many right-wing leaders have chosen to channel their efforts into targeting individuals and groups who…