Of course, the dysfunction on display in Canberra (here’s our story on that) is not new. In fact, many sociologists and political scientists will tell you, the unraveling here and elsewhere has been generations in the making.

For decades, the ranks of people who run for office in Australia, the United States and in many other “mature” democracies have narrowed. Parties have become less representative of the people. Technology has moved faster and with more menace than our public institutions, and at the same time media has become more agenda-driven, more divisive — and more threatened by disruption.

The elected leaders who are supposed to be dealing with all of this, in simple terms, are not. That’s why the adjournment is worth dwelling on. A handful of politicians stopped working on issues affecting the country for a contest to decide the country’s direction through a backroom deal unrelated to voter demands or an actual election.

The polis got rolled. Is it any wonder that growing numbers of voters in Australia (and it’s not just here) are falling out of love with democracy?

And remember, dark humor on social media notwithstanding, there may be long-lasting effects to political failures like the ones we’re seeing. To break up with politics or rage against the machine — these are fast becoming more popular options.