The classic examples of zero-sum games are Poker and the Olympics. In these sports, one person wins the game and another person loses. But this is not the right way to progress economically and socially. It is important for the United State leaders to understand this fact.
In this modern age, many debates on major issues are caught up in a zero-sum mindset. It simply means that people believe in the concept that the victory of one person requires the defeat of another one. The United States voters also develop their mindset according to the same level of thinking that leads US politics in troubling directions. Also if the same thinking continues then it definitely does not match its history as a successful, liberal democracy. Many important areas are affected due to this zero-sum attitude. It includes immigration, trade, environmental policy, and national security. With this growing mindset the US prosperity is also in danger. There are very few people in this nation that want to approach the win-win strategy.
Donald Trump embodies this zero-sum view. He saw trade deficits as losses for Americans and criticized alliances like NATO as a waste.
The zero-sum thinking is not limited to one political party. Many leaders of the United States think that one side’s gain is seen as another’s loss. President Biden, much like Trump, has maintained protectionist policies that have slowed down progress on addressing climate change. At the same time, Biden hasn’t gone as far as threatening to cut off funding to Ukraine, he still views China’s rise as a direct threat to the United States. Many people believe that under the leadership of Kamala Harris, this perspective may change. She is the one who doesn’t agree with the Trump thoughts. According to her, America’s interests need to be protected from external influences.
The cut and clear example of this zero-sum thinking is immigration. Many people view it as a conflict between protecting Americans and keeping out outsiders. Both Joe Biden and Kamala Harris distanced their views from Donald Trump’s extreme ideas. It includes deporting 11 million people. Still, she leads a party that focuses on limiting immigration to the United States.
The people who live in America now want less immigration. Only 55% supported this in a recent Gallup poll, up from 28% in 2020. According to them, every new immigrant takes away the opportunity for jobs and other resources from those who were born in the land of the United States. But this is not the right way of thinking. Reducing immigration negatively impacts the economy of the nation.
A study on the Secure Communities program, which targeted unauthorized immigrants, shows this. The program, used from 2008 to 2014, did reduce the employment of unauthorized immigrants, but it also led to fewer jobs for American citizens. When immigrant workers, especially in construction, were removed, it reduced the need for citizen managers. Despite studies proving this, many still wrongly think that immigrants hurt American jobs and wages. As economist Michael Clemens noted, people don’t worry about babies born in the US affecting wages because they see them as “us,” while immigrants are viewed as outsiders.
The easiest way for American politicians is to play to voters rather than challenge them. However, this approach is not safe. Zero-sum thinking only damages America’s economy, nothing else. This type of thinking creates the idea of “us vs. them.” This view hurts innovations and also weakens the commitment to democracy. It also results in less respect for voting rights. Also, it encourages political violence against opponents.
Studies show that this way of thinking is linked to worse economic performance and poorer respect for civil liberties.
For example, Trump’s attempt to eliminate the trade deficit failed; instead, it grew. Achieving it would have meant cutting foreign investment, harming the economy. If Trump had succeeded in stopping immigration, it would have led to a decline in population and workforce, creating long-term problems for the country.
Many older White voters feel unsafe with this change, such as globalization. It only compels them to think that politics is a win-loss game. This view also becomes the major reason for division and makes the complexities worse. It is good for the American leaders to approach another strategy such as everyone should take part and work together for the success of the nation. It is not good to see others as rivals, it is crucial for leaders to focus on cooperation that always helped democracies thrive.
