The dangers of divisiveness | Guest Opinion

Anyone who has seen film of the Tacoma Narrows bridge understands the frightening power of a flawed structure unable to withstand a destabilizing force. Back in 1940, a strong wind bolstered the bridge’s natural tendency to sway, causing it to rock violently and eventually collapse. Such disastrous behavior can occur when even a modest instability is repeatedly reinforced, creating oscillations that twist and mangle the underlying structure until it eventually fails.

Many years ago, as a process control engineer, I was trained to recognize the onset of such dangerous behavior. A first sign was simple oscillation, a system might swing back and forth between two positions never slowing or settling toward a common point. More foreboding was the appearance of four positions, a right-of-right and a left-of-left. This was a frightening indicator that the system was escalating out of control.

It is striking, and concerning, that we are seeing a similar behavior in our current politics. The dynamics are the same. Divisions are being reinforced by both internal and external forces and unless we take action to mitigate this situation, our nation may be irreparably harmed.

As engineers, our first move was to “turn down the dial”. Instead of trying to push against the oscillation, we would simply stop any reinforcement. This goes against the natural tendency to react against what is perceived as the wrong direction, but the entire system is stabilized if allowed to return to common ground.

Attacking the other side, or doubling down, just adds destructive forces. However, both sides must not allow their own side’s extreme behavior to become the new normal.

A second mitigating action is to maintain stabilizing structures. An example is the three element trusses on bridges. Three elements provide mechanical strength that allows the bridge to bear load. If any of the three elements becomes depleted or in-line with one of the other two, stability is lost and the structure collapses.

Our Constitutional system with its three, independent branches of government, was designed to maintain stability, but its moderating effects are being lost.

Judges are being selected based on ideology rather than experience and qualifications. Disturbingly, this Administration’s attacking, win-lose style reinforces divisiveness, and its blanket refusal to allow Congressional oversight is unprecedented.

The Senate was originally viewed as a moderating force, but its stature has been lost. Rule changes have concentrated power and its uncritical support for even extreme actions of this Administration undermines the basic system of checks and balances.

Some people may view that if “we are winning” then it is OK, but this is a false belief. A breakdown can occur if the system is viewed as inherently corrupt or unfair. “Domestic tranquility” requires commitment to core values such as human rights, fair elections, and the rule-of-law.

Rising income inequality is a dangerous trend correlated with violence and perceived injustices can drive extremes on both sides. Unfortunately, out of chaos, emerges dictators.

A truly strong and long-lasting system requires compromise and adherence to basic, shared principles.

We Americans should agree that we are a republic of all the people, not just the rich and powerful, and that no one is above the law. We should agree that everyone deserves liberty and justice, and that everyone deserves freedom from fear and want.

Otherwise I worry we will end up like the ill-fated Tacoma Narrows bridge; torn apart by a strong wind, without the structural strength to bear its force.

This story was originally published February 14, 2020 at 12:16 PM with the headline "The dangers of divisiveness | Guest Opinion."