Modern? George Washington warned about this in his farewell address. 8 years after the United States of America began this was already becoming a problem!

George Washington on “the spirit of party” in his farewell address:

> It serves always to distract the Public Councils, and enfeeble the Public Administration. It agitates the Community with ill-founded jealousies and false alarms; kindles the animosity of one part against another, foments occasionally riot and insurrection.