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Obstructionism is the practice of deliberately delaying or preventing a process or change, especially in politics.

In politics

Obstructionism or policy of obstruction denotes the deliberate interference with the progress of a legislation 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, Frank Hugh O'Donnell, and Charles Stewart Parnell, Irish nationalists; all were famous for making long speeches in the British House of Commons. 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." 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.' Sir Leslie Ward's "Spy" cartoon of John O'Connor Power appeared in Vanity Fair's "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 filibusters of federal judge nominations. He has referred to himself as the "Grim Reaper" of the Democratic agenda.

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 American mass media.

"We're looking for the people who think shouting is annoying, counterproductive, and terrible for your throat; who feel that the loudest voices shouldn't be the only ones that get heard; and who believe that the only time it's appropriate to draw a Hitler mustache on someone is when that person is actually Hitler. Or Charlie Chaplin in certain roles."

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".

See also

• Filibuster
• Government failure
• Justice delayed is justice denied
• Judicial reform
• Judicial review
• Jury tampering
• Law reform
• Liberum veto
• Political corruption

References

1. "obstructionism definition - English dictionary for learners - Reverso". dictionary.reverso.net. Retrieved 8 January 2019.
2. "Congress.gov - Library of Congress". www.congress.gov. Retrieved 8 January 2019.
3. ^ Movement for Reform – 1870–1914, © M.E. Collins 2004; The Educational Company (Edco)
4. Jackson, Alvin Home Rule: An Irish History 1800—2000 p. 39-42, Phoenix Press (2003). ISBN 0-7538-1767-5
5. Letter to Cardinal Cullen from The O'Donoghue, 6 August 1877. Cardinal Cullen papers, Section 329/3
6. O'Connor Power, John, The Anglo-Irish Quarrel: A Plea for Peace, 1886.
7. Green, Joshua (2011-01-04). "Strict Obstructionist". {{cite magazine}}: Cite magazine requires |magazine= (help)
8. Wolf, Zachary B. (2019-08-06). "Mitch McConnell's obstruction in the spotlight following massacres". CNN. Retrieved 2020-09-24.
9. "Comedy Central Official Site - TV Show Full Episodes & Funny Video Clips". Comedy Central. Retrieved 8 January 2019.
10. 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.
11. Jane Stanford, 'That Irishman The Life and Times of John O'Connor Power', Part Two, 'Parliamentary Manoeuvres', pp 77–84, 'A Change of Government, pp 105–107.

v t e Irish Republican Brotherhood
General	Young Ireland Fenianism Irish republicanism Physical force Irish republicanism Irish in the American Civil War Manchester Martyrs Cuba Five New Departure Irish Race Conventions Obstructionism Fenian Ram Hindu–German Conspiracy Declaration of Independence Irish Republic Sinn Féin Anglo-Irish Treaty Irish Civil War Irish Free State
Actions	Fenian Rising (Clerkenwell explosion and Fenian raids) Catalpa rescue Land War Fenian dynamite campaign Easter Rising Irish War of Independence Army Mutiny
Presidents	James Stephens Thomas J. Kelly J. F. X. O'Brien Charles Kickham John O'Connor Power John O'Leary Neal O'Boyle John Mulholland Seamus Deakin Denis McCullough Thomas Ashe Seán McGarry Harry Boland Patrick Moylett Michael Collins Richard Mulcahy
Prominent members	19th century Thomas Francis Bourke Ricard O'Sullivan Burke Edward O'Meagher Condon John Daly Michael Davitt Timothy Deasy John Devoy Michael Doheny Thomas Clarke Luby John O'Mahony Jeremiah O'Donovan Rossa Pat Nally William R. Roberts 20th century Éamonn Ceannt Tom Clarke Bulmer Hobson Seán Mac Diarmada Diarmuid Lynch Patrick Pearse Joseph Plunkett
Informants	Thomas Miller Beach Francis Frederick Millen
Associates	Clan na Gael Cumann na mBan Emmet Monument Association Fenian Brotherhood Fianna Éireann Friends of Irish Freedom Irish Republican Army Irish Freedom (newspaper) The Irish People (newspaper) United Irishmen of America
Derivatives	Irish National Invincibles (Phoenix Park killings)

• Human behavior
• Political philosophy
• Abuse of the legal system