Regarding temporary bans
As a dictator elsewhere I've found them to be very useful as a way of setting limits without the problems a long term ban causes. They are a useful reminder that the rules will be enforced, if necessary.
The abuse problem can be handled by: o a five times as long ban for anyone who is found by a majority of some group to have acted in a partisan way, doubling each time it happens within a 30 day period. o a six month prohibition on editing the articles over which the first ban was inppropriately applied or any articles linking to them at the time of the ban.
That should give partisans cause to think twice.