It becomes familiar habit. We learn that dialogue intent on producing mutually acceptable solutions to problems is a sissy activity. Civility is boring. We are taught that compromise is akin to giving in. Over and over we expose ourselves to the message - Respect is power.
Power is respect.
Strength comes from dissing, silencing, demeaning, degrading and humiliating an opponent. It is the one for whom voices do not cry out loudly. It is the meek. We find a new enemy, one to replace the Communists, once again, finally finding the real source of our problems. To the poor, the sick, the hungry, the disenfranchised, etc., we add gay and lesbian people, people of color, immigrants, foreigners and the unemployed.