by Inara Jain (staff writer)

Compromise, in some instances, can be extremely beneficial. For example, the Great Compromise of 1787 solved a pressing issue of its time: representation inequalities between small and large states. In 1787, the States were able to convene to find common ground and devised a way to give each state equal representation in the new government. Today, we find compromises in the form of bipartisanship, where both parties of the United States find common grounds despite their vast differences. The assumed benefit of bipartisanship is that both parties will come together and find a way to solve the country’s most pressing issues, regardless of inherent differences between parties. This idea is increasingly popular and very common among Americans. According to a poll by Monmouth University, most of the public (71%) would prefer to see Republicans in congress work alongside President Biden instead of solely keep him in check. Bipartisanship is favored by the masses. This is the desire of the public because they want to see results quickly, and they believe the two parties making compromises will solve that. However, achieving bipartisanship will not accelerate the rate at which bills get passed. If the desired goal of passing laws with haste was accomplished, this would not be due to any sort of compromise or bipartisanship of the parties. One party would have to succumb to the demands of its opposition because of the deep-rooted differences in fundamental values of each party. With bipartisanship, there is no push for real change, and the parties will regress more into centrist ideals. To be a centrist, one has to be not only aware of the privilege that protects them but comfortable with it as well. The danger of this is those with this privilege to protect them from systematic harm will control what does or does not get passed. In this sense of bipartisanship, minorities and low-income citizens will be overlooked in decisions that will affect them the most. Bipartisanship is overrated because real progress is unattainable under the compromise of the two parties.