Claybourn: National narratives have overshadowed local politics in America

In the bygone days of American politics, the issues that mattered most were those that touched the lives of citizens in their own backyards.

Local politics were the lifeblood of democracy, where a town hall meeting, a school board election, or a state legislative session could spark vigorous debate and meaningful change. The late Speaker of the House, Tip O'Neill, famously declared, “All politics is local,” encapsulating a truth that defined American political life for decades.

But today, we witness a different reality. The local, once the arena of tangible and immediate concerns, has been overshadowed by the national. Political discourse is no longer dominated by the issues of local schools, community policing, or municipal governance. Instead, it orbits around national controversies and figures, driven by a 24-hour news cycle and a polarized social media landscape.

This transformation has roots in multiple soil beds − technological advancements, changes in media consumption, and a political landscape increasingly defined by ideological extremities. The internet and social media have nationalized our conversation, magnifying national issues and figures while local concerns struggle for airtime. The result is a political dialogue where the local is not just overshadowed but often entirely absent.

The consequences of this shift are profound. When national politics consume our collective attention, the nuanced, complex realities of local governance get sidelined. Communities' unique needs and challenges turn into mere footnotes in scripts written far from their streets and homes. This disconnect breeds a sense of alienation and frustration, as citizens feel their immediate, lived experiences are ignored in the broader national conversation.

In this new era, where all politics is national, we must ask ourselves: What do we lose when the local voice is drowned out by the national echo? The richness of the American political tapestry lies in its diversity, in the multitude of local narratives that inform and enrich our national story.

Perhaps, in our rush to engage with the national, we ought to pause and consider what we're missing, recognizing that the heart of democracy beats not just in the halls of Congress, but in town halls, school boards, and city councils across the nation.

The shift from local to national focus in politics mirrors deeper societal changes. The globalizing world, for one, has made international issues more relevant to the average citizen. Consider economic globalization, an issue that nonetheless demands local action, or immigration, an international phenomenon with profound local implications. These issues, while national or global in scope, directly impact communities, yet the discourse surrounding them is often hijacked by national narratives, detaching them from their local roots.

This detachment erodes the quality of our democracy. Local governments, once breeding grounds for national leaders, now play second fiddle to politicians who gain prominence through national platforms, often disconnected from local realities. This trend weakens democracy, with national figures favoring partisan conflicts over community needs.

Furthermore, the nationalization of politics affects citizen engagement. National issue dominance can render civic participation futile, especially when these issues feel distant compared to immediate local concerns. However, national politics also offer opportunities, mobilizing people around issues like healthcare reform and economic freedom, fostering national identity and shared purpose. But this shouldn't eclipse local involvement.

At its core, we face a balancing act between local and national interests in politics, both crucial for a thriving democracy. Local politics, the bedrock of citizen engagement, influence everyday life, while national politics shape broader societal values and goals.

The challenge is integrating local and national perspectives, revitalizing local political engagement, and emphasizing local issues' importance. It calls for national politicians and media to not only focus on the grand narrative but also to recognize and highlight the importance of local stories and solutions.

While “All politics is local” may seem outdated, its principle is still pertinent. The health of our democracy hinges on engaging with both local and national issues. Striving for a balance where local and national perspectives mutually enrich, we can ensure a holistic, representative political discourse, echoing the voices of all citizens. Only then can we truly say that our democracy is functioning as it should, with the voices of all citizens, from the smallest towns to the largest cities, being heard and valued.

Joshua Claybourn is an attorney and historian. Visit him online at JoshuaClaybourn.com and on X @JoshuaClaybourn.

This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: Claybourn: National narratives have overshadowed local politics in America