Calling for ‘Unity’ Is Just an Appeal to Power

The single most abused, misused and misunderstood word in American politics is “unity.”

All presidential candidates vow to unite Americans. Nearly every pundit and public intellectual laments the lack of unity.

“When America is united, America is totally unstoppable,” Donald Trump declared in his inaugural address. “With unity, we can do great things. Important things,” insisted Joe Biden in his. Kamala Harris proclaimed in her acceptance speech at the Democratic convention that “in unity, there is strength.”