There is a lot of talk about "partisan" politics. How do you define "partisan" in that sense ?

Question

I have noticed, when I listen to political conversations recently, it seems that a lot of people involved in those discussions are tired of destructive partisan politics and that they would like to see more consensus, rather than a "partisan" position from the parties.
Therefore the question evolved: What IS partisan ?

Answer 1

Partisan comes from the word party. The two party system of the US as any party system can cause partisan politics. This means that politicians act in a way that will gain the most power for the party, and not necessarily what is right for the country. They think this is OK, rationalizing that if the party gets more power they can then make the best decisions. One way to avoid this could be anonymous voting in congress, but that is very unlikely.

Answer 2

In politics, partisan (political) usually refers to a fervent, sometimes militant supporter or proponent of a party, cause, faction, person, or idea. Although this is typically an appelation with negative connotations, some supporters embrace the term, as can be seen by the names of the following publications:

Partizan Press, a UK publishing company.
Partisan Review, a US political and literary quarterly.
Southern Partisan, a US political magazine.

Answer 3

Being more concerned with allegiance to a political party than to addressing and resolving the issue in question.

Let's say there are two politicians, both who have a lot of personal or business experience with some industry or issue.

One takes a look at the question, applies their experience, figures out whether the proposed law/action makes rational sense, and then votes/acts that way.

The other votes according to party lines, based on whatever their party has decided is the 'proper' way to vote. And takes opportunities to attack members of the other party for voting differently. That is being partisan.

Answer 4

People who talk just because they want the power, without actually listening to what they are saying....both sides do it, but I would have to generally state that Liberals play this hand more than Conservatives...for example...the only way they will gain power from here on out is if America loses it's war in Iraq or another terror attack takes place on Americans....so, in essence, they have to almost hope America fails under Conservative leadership....but again, the Conservatives went after Clinton with his Monica Lewinsky scandal, just to try and take advantage of a bad situation for Liberals (but a terror attack and handing out presidential kneepads are a little different, one involved thousands of American lives being suddenly ended)

also, see merlin_steele's answer...he puts it pretty well

Answer 5

To me, a partisan is someone who is very strongly liberal or conservative but is just so to go along with the image. They follow their own crowd and are heavily influenced by them. Their minds are too weak to disagree with anything their own party believes in. They don't actually have any opinions of their own and are more about sensationalism and emotion than reason and logic.

Answer 6

partisan politics is basically a war between democrats and republicans. both sides seem to forget they are supposed to be working together in ONE nation united...which is why people are so fed up with the partisan bullcrap.

Answer 7

When both parties do not work together and one party thinks it's ideas are lots better than the other.

Answer 8

I think it's when, say, a congressman or someone is backing an issue based on what their own party wants, without using their own mind and voting their own conscience.

Answer 9

It means by party lines.

Answer 10

leaning one way or another