Republicans do the dirty work that the establishment wants done so that Democrats can say "don't do that! :(". Republicans destroy regulations and engage in colonial wars so that the corporations which fund both parties get good deals. Good cop bad cop.
And then go out of their way to crush or co opt any kind of left-wing political organization and prevent the country from backtracking on whatever Republicans did last.
The Ratchet Effect is alive and well I’m afraid.