The attempted assassination of Donald Trump was shocking and (as Joe Biden suggested) sickening. Though Trump survived, the death of a Trump supporter and serious injury of two others is horrible. In a highly polarized era, it is heartening that condemnation of this act has found voice across the political spectrum. Nonetheless, it is a sad day for our country.
With that preamble, I have a few remarks about politics. I will reference Bernard Crick, from the opening chapter of his book, In Defense of Politics [British spelling of 'defense' from an edition of his book published in Great Britain]:
Crick, who credits the ancient Greeks with the "unique invention or discovery" of politics, attributes to Aristotle the view of politics as described in the passage presented above. In a state comprised of people belonging to disparate groups -- not simply "a single tribe, religion, interest, or tradition" -- politics offers a method for making social decisions, choices that touch everyone who lives within that society. For politics to function, participants must accept the legitimacy of other groups and different interests within that society. Through politics we consider a diversity of interests and come to decisions that respect a range of viewpoints, not simply those of one group or another. Politics (which imbues our democratic institutions) is a peaceful method for resolving disagreements and preserving an orderly society for all.
Politics, on this view, is central to democracy and to democratic institutions (such as free and fair elections and the rule of law). Politics doesn't exist in the absence of democracy. In a tyranny, for instance, only the interests of the tyrant or of his favored group are represented. Others -- those in disfavored groups -- are intimidated or coerced to accept a state of affairs that redound to the benefit of the tyrant (and perhaps of his acolytes). Coercion and politics are in opposition to one another.
Political violence and the practice of politics are antithetical. Political violence threatens our democratic institutions, which rely on participants acting in good faith, respecting their political opponents, and accepting that compromise is often required, but that we are each free to state our views, to seek to persuade others, and to look forward to achieving victories in the future.
Violence strikes at the heart of politics. It shatters the foundations of democracy. It must be rejected emphatically.