Dealmakers

Abstract Compromise is critical to democratic policymaking, but it can be hard to find on Capitol Hill. In this era of routine legislative gridlock, however, some politicians do still cross the aisle instead of just crossing their arms. Dealmakers examines why—and why those lawmakers favoring compromise tend to be Democrats. The answer, the authors contend, comes down to differences in personality and values among voters. Specifically, they suggest that empathetic traits and values drive Democrats to accept compromise, whereas competitive traits and values drive Republicans to reject it. These differences filter up, the authors argue, through the ballot box to the halls of Congress. Drawing on evidence from opinion surveys, randomized experiments, social media posts, and legislative rescords, the authors find substantial support for their theory. These findings contextualize and challenge the conventional wisdom on political compromise while providing a deep dive into the psychological factors that structure political dealmaking and its absence.