I think that when the threat of the Soviet Union and (so- called) communism was present, people in this country muted our ideological differences. Without that unifying external threat, we have had no reason to restrain those differences.

Ideologies are based on beliefs. Conflict based on beliefs can only be, as Michel Foucault put it, a “contest of power.”

Given the nature of beliefs, there is no possibility of compromise. Unless one side is willing to relinquish its beliefs, one side must crush the other.

That is why ideologies inherently tend towards establishing some form of totalitarianism. It is also why people on every side fear so much the victory of any side.

If the conflict lasts long enough, exhaustion might eventually induce a truce. At that point living with each other’s differences might again become a habit, but the truce will probably be only temporary.

To end on a more hopeful note, I have developed an ethic of justice that is non-ideological. It would maximize liberty and reinforce political democracy. Applied to the economy, that ethic would eliminate unemployment, poverty, taxes, and public debt while increasing sustainability — with no changes in economic behavior required. That would at least resolve permanently many of the biggest issues that currently generate political conflict.

If curious, see, e.g., “People for Tolerance, Unite!” here on medium.com. Reading it would probably be hard work for most people, but what is better usually take more effort to achieve,