Politics Beyond the Faction: Choosing the next President in the United States

Ensuring the quality of those we choose to run our government was a prime consideration for the Founding Fathers of the United States. In The Federalist Papers (No. 10) James Madison wrote that government should be delegated to a body of chosen citizens “whose wisdom may best discern the true interest of their country and whose patriotism and love of justice will be least likely to sacrifice it to temporary or partial considerations”. 

He also noted“ men of factious tempers, of local prejudices, board of sinister designs and quote might capture the suffrage of the people by “intrigue, corruption, or other means” and then “betray the interests of the people”. 

In George Washington’s Farewell Address of 1796, written with the help of Alexander Hamilton and James Madison, Washington reiterates the concerns about placing faction or party over the government of all people: “The alternate domination of one faction over another, sharpened by the spirit of revenge, natural to party dissension, which in different ages and countries has perpetrated the most horrid enormities, is itself a frightful despotism. But this leads at length to a more formal and permanent despotism. The disorders and miseries which result gradually incline the minds of men to seek security and repose in the absolute power of an individual; and sooner or later the chief of some prevailing faction, more able or more fortunate than his competitors, turns this disposition to the purposes of his own elevation, on the ruins of public liberty.”

The remedy for this situation was envisaged by those founding fathers of the United States to be:

• the employment of careful and deliberative democracy,
• adherence to the rule of law protecting the rights of the individual (including, perhaps most particularly, those of minorities and in positions of weakness), and
• constitutional checks and balances to curb absolute power by Federal Government over the States, or the Executive arm over the Legislative or Judicial arms of Government. 

These and other matters relating to the principles of democracy are explored in fascinating detail by A C Grayling in his new book The Good State.

It is in the book Leading Beyond the Ego, published by Routledge, that John Knights (Chair of LeaderShape Global) discusses the importance of transpersonal leadership – a change within the leader to match the change they wish to see, transcending personal interests in the pursuit of the best for all stakeholders. Plentiful evidence exists that this form of leadership – ethical, in service to others, mindful of diverse interests and promoting a high-performance culture – is a hallmark of the most successful leaders, organisations and societies.

In two podcasts in the Leadership Comes Alive series in October 2020 I discuss how “politics beyond the ego” works, its crucial elements, and its importance in our world challenged by pandemic, climate and other existential challenges. Transpersonal leadership has never been more important.

As the United States prepares to elect a new president, one question voters may ask is which of these candidates is most likely not only to represent me but to represent the whole people? I may be tempted to vote for a President who I believe strongly represents my views. However, if they overstep checks and balances, do not have an ethical approach to governing, and don't show intent or willingness to look beyond factional interests, the next such President from another faction may use the same approach to act counter to my interests, citing my choice as precedent for their actions.

It is only by choosing a president who can best unite the country, or at least attempt to address issues raised by people across the spectrum of opinion, that democracy can be preserved and good government and subsequent success be ensured. 

Join me on the podcast Leadership Comes Alive on your channel of choice, download my paper Politics Beyond the Ego, and comment below to join the discussion about the sort of politics and political leadership we wish to see.