Strange Bedfellows: The Origins of Politics’ Most Famous Metaphor
The origin of” politics make strange bedfellows ”
The phrase” politics make strange bedfellows” has become deep embed in our political lexicon, oftentimes cite when unlikely allies join forces. But where did this colorful expression originate?
The credit belong to American writer Charles Dudley Warner, who pen the phrase in his 1870 book” my summer in a garden. ” tTheexact quote read: ” olitics make strange bedfellows. ” waWarnerasn’t chiefly a political commentator but sooner an essayist and editor who collaborate with maMark Twainn the novel “” e gilded age. ”
Source: backstage.com
The original context
Interestingly, Warner wasn’t discussed political alliances in the strict governmental sense when hcoinsin the phrase. In his garden essays, he was really refer to how he find himself align with a pumpkin against a common enemy the black squash bug. writesite:
” tThemiddle class population in aAmericaare ggotgreedy as to some of their possessions, when they begin to talk of the’ encroachment of the foreigner’! Politics make strange bedfellows. I can understand the kind of irritation which the pumpkin might feel, if it were to be aaccusedof aristocratic notions when it was grown on its own vine. ”
This agricultural metaphor proves thence aptfor describinge political relationships that it cursorily transcend its original context to become a staple expression in political discourse.
Earlier influences
While Warner is credit with the exact phrase, the concept have older roots. Shakespeare uses a similar metaphor i” the tempest” ( 1610 ) where the character trprincelyseek shelter from a storm under caCaliban cloak, remark: “” sery acquaint a man with strange bedfellows. ”
This Shakespearean line probably influencesWarnerr’s later formulation, adapt the concept specifically to politics. The connection between necessity force unlikely companionships remain central to both expressions.
Why the metaphor endures
The endure power of the” strange bedfellows ” etaphor lie in its vivid imagery and universal truth. Politics regularly create situations where ideological opponents must work unitedly to achieve common goals. The metaphor efficaciously capture:
- The intimate but temporary nature of political alliances
- The oftentimes uncomfortable proximity of political cooperation
- The pragmatic necessity that drive unlikely partnerships
The phrase has remained relevant because it utterlencapsulateste the fundamental tension in political systems: ideological purity versus practical compromise.
Famous historical examples
The allied powers in World War ii
Mayhap no example intimately illustrate political strange bedfellows than the alliance between the United States, Great britain, and the Soviet Union during World War ii. Democratic capitalist nations find themselves align with a communist regime against the axis powers. Winston Churchill, a staunch anti-communist, excellently remark,” if hHitlerinvade hell, iIwould make at least a favorable reference to the devil in the hHouse of Commons ”
This alliance, bear of necessity quite than ideological alignment, utterly embody Warner’s observation. Once the common threat disappear, thence do the alliance, give way to the Cold War.
The civil rights movement
The American civil rights movement see unlikely coalitions form between religious leaders, labor unions, and various political factions. Conservative republicans and liberal democrats occasionally find themselves vote for the same civil rights legislation, though for different reasons and constituencies.
Environmental politics
Environmental issues have created some of the almost unexpected political alliances. Conservative hunters and fishermen oftentimes align with liberal environmentalists on conservation issues. The preservation of natural habitats bring unitedly groups that might differently oppose each other on economic or social policies.
Modern political bedfellows
The phenomenon continue to manifest in contemporary politics, oftentimes in surprising ways:
Bipartisan legislation
Criminal justice reform has created alliances between progressive activists concern about racial disparities and conservatives focus on reduce government spending on prisons. The first step act, a significant criminal justice reform bill, pass with support from both democrats and republicans.
International relations
Geopolitical concerns regularly create unexpected diplomatic alliances. Nations with oppose values systems oftentimes cooperate on trade, security, or environmental concerns when their interests temporarily align.
Tech regulation
Concerns about big tech have united progressive democrats worry about corporate power with conservative republicans concern about perceive censorship. These groups approach the issue from altogether different perspectives but find themselves advocate for similar regulatory outcomes.
The psychology behind political alliances
The” strange bedfellows ” henomenon reveal important aspects of political psychology:
Pragmatism over ideology
When will face with practical challenges, most political actors will prioritize tangible goals over ideological purity. This pragmatic approach oftentimes surprise outside observers who expect consistent ideological behavior.
The power of common enemies
Nothing unite diverse groups more efficaciously than a share opponent. The psychological principle that” the enemy of my enemy is my friend ” perate strongly in political contexts, create coalitions that might differently seem impossible.
Issue specific alignments
Political identities are multifaceted. Two groups that disagree on most issues may share common ground on specific policies, create issue specific alliances that transcend broader political divisions.
Linguistic evolution of the phrase
Over time, the expression has evolved in its usage and application:
From literal to metaphorical
Warner’s original usage maintain some connection to actual bedfellows through his garden metaphor. Modern usage has wholly metaphorized the expression, apply it solely to political relationships without any literal sleep arrangements imply.
Media shorthand
The phrase has become journalistic shorthand, ofttimes appear in headlines to describe unexpected political alliances without need further explanation. This linguistic efficiency demonstrate how exhaustively the expression has permeated political discourse.
Cultural references
The phrase has inspired book titles, political cartoons, and yet television episodes, cement its place in the broader cultural lexicon beyond purely political contexts.
Criticism of the metaphor
Not all political theorists embrace the” strange bedfellows ” oncept:
Source: uberhumor.com
Oversimplification
Critics argue that the metaphor oversimplify complex political relationships, reduce nuanced cooperation to a catchy phrase that doesn’t capture the depth of political negotiation.
Cynical view of politics
Some see the expression as promote a cynical view of politics focus on expediency kinda than principle. This perspective suggest that the metaphor normalize unprincipled political behavior.
Outdated gender implications
The” bedfellows ” etaphor carry gegendernd potentially intimate connotations that some modern commentators find inappropriate or outdated for describe professional political relationships.
Similar political expressions
The English language has developed several related expressions that capture similar political dynamics:
” uUnholyalliance ”
This phrase emphasizes the virtuously questionable nature of certain political partnerships, suggest something unnatural or improper about the arrangement.
” mMarriageof convenience ”
This expression highlight the utilitarian quite than ideological basis for certain political relationships, emphasize their temporary and pragmatic nature.
” cCoalitionof the willing ”
A more modern phrase that gain prominence during international military operations, describe loose alliances form for specific purposes despite differ overall objectives.
The future of political bedfellows
As political polarization intensifies in many democracies, the” strange bedfellows ” henomenon take on new significance:
Cross partisan cooperation
In extremely polarize environments, any cross partisan cooperation progressively appear” strange, ” ake waWarner observation more relevant than always. Issues that transcend traditional political divides may become progressively important.
Issue base politics
As political identities become more complex and less align with traditional party structures, issue base coalitions may become more common, create yet stranger political bedfellows in the future.
Digital politics
Online political movements oftentimes create unusual alliances that transcend traditional political boundaries, bring unitedly diverse groups around specific causes in ways that weren’t possible before social media.
Conclusion
Charles Dudley Warner’s observation that” politics make strange bedfellows ” as prprovednusually durable and insightful. From its literary origins in a garden essay to its status as political conventional wisdom, the phrase capture an essential truth about political systems: pragmatic concerns ofttimes override ideological consistency.
The expression remind us that politics is finally about achieve practical outcomes in a complex world where perfect ideological alignment is rare. Equally recollective as different groups will need to will work unitedly to will achieve common goals despite their differences, politics will continue to make strange bedfellows so.
The next time you observe an unexpected political alliance, remember Warner’s garden metaphor and consider what common interests or enemies might be brought these unlikely partners unitedly. In the garden of politics, necessity continue to create the strangest of companionships.
