There is a little-known political stratagem which is a major objective of politicians and political entities. That objective is known as “political capital”. Political capital is an ambiguous term that defines an illusive political benefit derived by exploitation of a particular governmental situation, problem, action, or crisis. Anyone may be an intentional or unintentional co-opted participant. Participants vary from an individual elected official, a political entity, voters, industries, a selected beneficiary to unsuspecting members of the public.
As the process plays out there are winners and losers. Winners are those who achieve an increment of “political capital” and the losers lose whatever is in play. Optimizing capital benefits is frequently achieved by manipulating a normal problem into a major crisis. Creating that crisis establishes the objectives and tactics to maximize benefits and defines who wins, who loses, and who benefits.
Why play this political capital game? Simply for power. The rewards encompasses accumulating power chips; playing to the base; capturing media attention; showcasing political skills; building constituent support; embarrassing opposition; benefiting specific business sectors; modifying democracy; fundraising, etc., etc. Political capital is derived from support, opposition, failure, change, delay, or any other result which has a political implication. If the perpetrator of the play is successful, it is possible that the win can be shared among other participants.
Understanding the “political capital” objective provides an insight into why many issues which begin as a simple problem are purposely manipulated into a valued crisis. There are many historical events that illustrate the political capital opportunity: Washington’s during his presidency, Lincoln’s co-opting the opposition into his cabinet, Roosevelt’s threat of packing the Supreme Court, Johnson’s Civil Rights legislation, Bush’s 9/11, et al. Some current “problem to crisis” issues that are ripe for a political capital play are assault weapons, abortions, LBGTQ, judicial decisions, social security reform, taxes, budget, immigration, voting rights, congressional investigations, and of course, the crisis ‘du jour’, debt limits.
THE BOTTOM LINE:
THERE IS NO VALUE IN SOLVING A PROBLEM, WHEN SUBSTANTIAL POLITICAL CAPITAL CAN BE EXPLOITED AND REALIZED BY A CRISIS!!!
WHEN A POLITICAL SITUATION BECOMES A CRISIS, ALWAYS BE MINDFUL OF WHO WINS THE MINE, AND WHO GETS THE SHAFT!!!
THE FUTURE BEGINS TODAY!
GIL EISNER DOLLARBILLBRIGADE.COM 5/30/2023
