Perils of Terminological Errors in Modern Politics
Clarifying Terminology to Bridge the Political Divide
In the whole round of human affairs little is so fatal to peace as misunderstanding. ~ Margarat Elizabeth Sangster
In today's fast-paced political climate, the accuracy of words and their meanings is more important than ever before. Modern politics has a problem with terminological errors, illustrating how confusion and ignorance have muddied the waters of political discourse and understanding, widening the chasms of division.
In the dirty waters of today's hyperpartisan politics, terms like "liberal" and "conservative" bob up and down like a fishing buoy riding rough waves; emptied of sense, the political ship of discourse is sailing adrift, lost at sea.
We've got a problem, Skipper.
Pick up a copy of today's Colorado Springs Gazette and you find political articles discussing "liberal" and "conservatives" without any definitions offered. This is common to most news media in the Pikes Peak region and also in Denver. And this is a problem.
This article will explore the perils of terminological confusion and errors in modern politics and how they can be addressed.
The Importance of Understanding in Politics
Terminological errors are a pervasive, ubiquitous problem in politics with far-reaching consequences. Recently, Colorado's failed Prop HH illustrated the difficulty for voters in understanding complex tax schemes. Imagine the confusion regarding the definition of "liberal" and other terms causing simple misunderstandings in political discourse.
Perhaps that's why hyperpolarization is a thing today. Anger, hatred, and overwhelming spite seem to dominate the political arena, likely due to routine terminological errors in public, political discourse.
If the political arena is a battleground of ideas, then understanding is the weapon of choice. When understanding is dulled by confusion, and miscommunication is borne from ignorance, the political battle becomes a fawning farce.
Several years ago, the American Institute for Economic Research sent me the book Useful Procedures for Inquiry by Rollo Handy and E.C. Harwood, an edition published in 1973. I had been a serious student of economics and E.C. Harwood when AIER sent the book, which features a sizable portion of the book dedicated to John Dewey's essay, "Knowing and the Known", first published in 1938.
During the 1930s, which saw the rise of fascism, Dewey was concerned about the state of public discourse and recognized the need for clear and concise language and communication to facilitate civil discussions among people with different opinions and views. His essay essentially illustrated that we should recognize knowledge not as a monolith but as a river, ever-changing and flowing with new contexts.
Dewey’s essay is a shining beacon in the murky fog of political discourse, a method to parse the meaning of the terms that shape our political landscape.
The essay is also a call to treat political terms with the precision of a surgeon's scalpel, cutting through misuse to reveal the intention behind the words, and it's desperately needed in today's political climate. It is through Dewey’s essay that I’ve noticed and previously written about the ongoing terminological problem, including this article.
Terminological Terms Often Confused
The misuse of "socialist" as a catch-all for progressive policies is a prime example of our ongoing terminological travesty. For many of us who abhor socialism, it is a daily challenge addressing people's mistaken understanding of socialism, to say nothing of the dangers of socialism.
I once talked with a local business manager about socialism, and his reply and definition of socialism was that "We should all get along and cooperate." When I asked him the difference between "socialism" and "social programs" and the differences in socialism in China and Russia, his eyes glazed over.
At this point, there was little for us to continue talking about since it would require an explanation for him of some of the terms we used. Clearly, he hadn't thought of "socialism" beyond false feel-good utopian dreams.
One of my family members is a registered NRA member and is also a registered Democrat. Is he a conservative or a liberal? Progressive? Confused? Maybe he doesn't care about the terms and labels? Is Colorado governor Jared Polis a progressive? Or is he a conservative? Maybe he's simply illiberal.
The terminological confusion between "fascism," "nationalism," and "authoritarianism" also creates misunderstanding where distinct political philosophies should stand clear. The term "liberal" has been stretched like taffy, pulled in every direction until it snaps, contributing to an atmosphere which words are weapons and not tools for understanding.
It is not uncommon for Americans accuse to other Americans of being "fascist" without truly understanding the term and how it is defined. The term is recklessly tossed about, especially on social media, with wanton impunity, rendering civil discourse nearly impossible.
Due to terminological errors, Americans are in danger of supporting political ideologies that restrict democracy and human rights.
Impact of Terminological Errors on Political Discourse
These errors are not merely academic quibbles; they shape the very reality of political debate. They trigger and upset people. They give rise to pandering protests, which are essentially protest fads generated by social media. Perhaps some of these protest mobs were created by confusion or intentional misuse of terms by those in the political class or the media.
Terminological errors erect walls within echo chambers, and filter bubbles thrive, muffling the voices of reasoned discourse and magnifying the shouts of division and calls for censorship. Our political language is sick and terminological clarity is the cure.
Not too long ago, former Congressman Justin Amash declared he is "a liberal" and would "take back" the term. I’ve also done the same thing and changed my status from “classical libreral” to simply ““liberal.”. Amash, a former Republican, and now a Libertarian, likely rolled heads with his declaration. We need more demands and declarations of clarity in words and terms in American politics.
It's well past time to reclaim our political vocabulary, to sharpen our words, and, in doing so, to sharpen our understanding of the world we're shaping through politics. In clarity, there is hope for unity, and Amash leads the way.
Improving Public Political Discourse
To improve political discourse and reduce terminological errors in modern politics, Americans can learn to evaluate different and multiple news sources, identify bias, and recognize propaganda. This may mean they will find new sources for news and political commentary. And it may also mean they will ask more questions.
Additionally, encouraging diverse representation in political commentary and demanding the news media ensure a wider range of voices and perspectives are represented in news stories will help the public better understand the terms and the people who use them in today's politics.
Civic leaders and the news media can focus on promoting cross-partisan dialogue and collaboration to break down communication barriers and improve understanding between many different political perspectives. There's far too much FOX, CNN, and MSNBC, and not enough SpringsTaxpayersUnited.com.
It is well past time for journalists and reporters to start defining the terms they use instead of assuming every reader and person agrees with their use of the term(s). Both civic leaders and media publishers should also encourage politicians and political commentators to use clear and concise language to reduce confusion and misunderstandings.
The clarification of terminology will help clear the muddied waters of contemporary political discourse.
Clarity and Understanding To Bridge Political Divides
In a chapter titled "The Terminological Problem" in his essay, Dewey writes about the challenges people have in learning to understand the meaning of terms, in part because of the way they are used in various contexts. Interpretation of interpretation of interpretation breeds angry confusion and contempt.
Dewey also highlights the issue of terminological errors in language, where terms are used in different ways by different people, leading to confusion and misunderstandings. He also suggests that context is an important factor in determining the meaning of terms, and that clear definitions are necessary to avoid confusion.
Finally, accurate language is pivotal in politics. Improving discourse demands media literacy, nuanced understanding of terms, and accountability in language use. Clarity in terminology can bridge the political divide, and we must begin the hard work of defining terms so people can again understand what's happening in their world today.