The term comes from the Italian 'partigiano': a member of a party. In a democracy, parties need loyal members to organize, campaign, debate ideas and govern. The partisan shows up, volunteers, votes and defends his party's say. Political movements have depended on partisans who refused to be neutral.
Partisans turn negative when loyalty overrides judgment. Data is judged not by its accuracy, but by whether it helps or hurts one's own side. Many partisans are motivated more by dislike of the opposing party than by affection for their own. 'Hyper-partisanship' or 'tribalism' leads to institutional erosion too.
In everyday life, we navigate partisan pressures. Family, workplace, organisations and online algorithms reward taking a clear side. Being non-partisan can mean being uncommitted or disengaged. At the same time being partisan is often being irrational, unjust and unfair to the other side.
It is not whether you have a side, it is important as to how you hold it. Does being partisan make you open minded or close minded? Does it make you demand more from your own side or only from the other side?
A healthy partisan says: 'This is my party, my cause and because I believe in it, I will hold it to its highest principles.' An unhealthy partisan says: 'This is my party, therefore whatever it does is right.' In that distinction lies the difference between a tool for democracy and as a threat to it.
Even when wrong, partisans cheer their team
Support your side, not the deviant scheme!
~ Pravin K Sabnis
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