Compromise and Equilibrium

Politics is the art of compromise. I've heard this quote in my classes and over the course of my years of studying and paying attention to American politics. 

I want to look at what compromise is for discussion's sake. Compromise is the outcome of decisions in the game of political discourse which creates an equilibrium between the competing ideological factions.

An equilibrium occurs when both sides of a political divide and disagreement are sufficiently satisfied with the approach and settlement of an issue to which few to no objections are raised about the issue that can stall or halt a bill or legislation from passing through the political body

Perfect equilibriums in politics are rarely, if ever, achieved. But an equilibrium/compromise can be achieved on an individual level enough to garner a majority to pass the legislation regardless of opposition by compromising with individual actors within the system.

Without compromise, progress in legislation and lawmaking is difficult to make and the political system in question grows stagnant and unproductive. If politicians are unwilling to compromise, than the necessary equillibrium that is needed for progress within the system cannot be achieved. In fact, the system can't work the way it was intended without compromise.

   Even so, disruptions in equillibriums and the imbalance created by lack of compromise is sometimes necessary in itself for progress and advancement of a political system or society. Imbalances and the disruptions of equilibriums are sometimes necessary for paradigm shifts to occur, as the creation of new equillibrium following the collapse of an old one can sometimes be more advanced and more effective than the old paradigm and equillibrium that was disrupted. 

 Sometimes equilibriums can lead to stagnancy and reduce the necessity of advancement since all sides in the game have achieved a balance in their favor that accounts for everyone else's strategies and positions. This reduces the need for change. A disruption of the equillibrium can force new compromises between the players and catalyze a change and the development of a new model of operations. 

This "disruption and reestablishment of equillibrium" process is absolutely necessary for the advancement and evolution of a society. Without it, society would stagnate.