Question

Stipulated that political disagreements not become personal criticisms, replacing rigid rules of courtesy that had once prevailed. What is this practice known as?

A) Bipartisanship
B) Incivility
C) Political Compromise
D) Decorum

Answer 1

Decorum is the practice of maintaining a respectful and dignified approach to political disagreements, avoiding personal criticisms, and respecting procedural rules. It promotes constructive debate but has become less common due to increased political polarization.

Step-by-step explanation:

The practice of ensuring that political disagreements do not devolve into personal criticisms is known as Decorum. Decorum within a political context refers to a standard of conduct that promotes a respectful and dignified debate, particularly within legislative bodies. It emphasizes the separation of policy criticisms from personal attacks, thereby allowing for more constructive and less adversarial exchanges.

In the historical context of the United States, the era of bipartisanship in the 1960s and 1970s witnessed high levels of cooperation and willingness to reach political compromise. However, contemporary American politics has seen a decline in such decorum, with increasing polarization and a shift towards extremes in public discourse. This polarization has led to fewer instances of cross-party collaboration and has exacerbated the challenges in achieving legislative goals within a divided government.