Obstructionism is the practice of deliberately delaying, preventing or abusing a process.
In politics
Obstructionism or policy of obstruction denotes the deliberate interference with the parliamentary procedure by various means such as the
filibuster which consists of extending the debate upon a proposal in order to delay or completely prevent a vote on its passage.
Another form of parliamentary obstruction practiced in the United States and other countries is called "slow walking". It specifically refers to the extremely slow speed with which legislators walk to the podium to cast their ballots. For example, in Japan this tactic is known as a "cow walk", and in Hawaii it is known as a "Devil's Gambit". Consequently, slow walking is also used as a synonym for obstructionism itself.
Obstructionism can also take the form of widespread agreement to oppose policies from the other side of a political debate or dispute.
Notable obstructionists
John O'Connor Power, Joe Biggar,
[Movement for Reform – 1870–1914, © M.E. Collins 2004; The Educational Company (Edco)] Frank Hugh O'Donnell, and Charles Stewart Parnell,
Irish nationalists; all were famous for making long speeches in the British House of Commons.
[Jackson, Alvin Home Rule: An Irish History 1800—2000 p. 39-42, Phoenix Press (2003). ] In a letter to Cardinal Cullen, 6 August 1877, The O'Donoghue, MP for County Kerry, denounced the obstruction policy: "It is Fenianism in a new form."
[Letter to Cardinal Cullen from The O'Donoghue, 6 August 1877. Cardinal Cullen papers, Section 329/3] The tactic deadlocked legislation and 'the autumn Session of 1882 was entirely devoted to the reform of the Rules of Procedure with a view to facilitating the despatch of business.'
[O'Connor Power, John, The Anglo-Irish Quarrel: A Plea for Peace, 1886.] Sir Leslie Ward's "Spy" cartoon of John O'Connor Power appeared in
Vanity Fairs "Men of the Day" series, 25 December 1886, and was captioned "the brains of Obstruction".
Mitch McConnell, a United States Senator, has been described as an obstructionist for his Filibuster in the United States Senate of federal judge nominations.
Mass media
In September 2010,
Jon Stewart of
The Daily Show announced the Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear, an event dedicated to ending political obstructionism in
United States mass media.
As workplace aggression
An obstructionist causes problems. Neuman and Baron (1998) identify obstructionism as one of the three dimensions that encompass the range of workplace aggression. In this context, obstructionism refers to "behaviors intended to hinder an employee from performing their job or the organization from accomplishing its objectives".
[Neuman, J.H., & Baron, R.A. (1998). Workplace violence and workplace aggression: Evidence concerning specific forms, potential causes, and preferred targets. Journal of Management, 24, 391–419.]
In rule of law
See also
Further reading
-
Görne, Frank (2020). Die Obstruktionen in der Römischen Republik Obstructions. Einzelschriften, vol. 264. Stuttgart: Franz Steiner, (with a general classification of obstructions).
