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In Defense Of Negativity In Politics
(NOTE: This was put under the wrong byline but since it’s up we’ll leave it. Joe Gandelman)
Is negativity in politics a bad thing? We’ve argued that it is. However, John G. Geer, Professor of Political Science and Public Policy at Vanderbilt University, doesn’t think it is at all. In this You Tube he defends negativity in politics and says its vital to the democratic process:
2 Responses to “In Defense Of Negativity In Politics”
It depends on how you define negativity. Being critical of a policy and pointing out reservations or adverse consequences is fine. Coming out against a policy by hurling insults at the author is juvenile. What he needed to make clear is that we need “adult� negativity.
No one that I’ve ever heard has argued against negativism as described by Prof. Geer.
He outlines how it should be. If there is a situation or policy you disagree with, describe in negative terms the things you believe are wrong with that policy. However, he goes on to say you should then propose a solution policy and outline why your approach would solve the negative things the original policy did wrong.
This is what the left’s negativism has lacked throughout the past 6 years.