One of the more significant problems we face today in so-called mature democracies is what I would describe as the theological approach to politics.
Instead of understanding that the political stances we adopt (even the most cherished ones) are inevitably informed by circumstances, personal and societal, we increasingly appear to assume that they reflect fundamental matters of right and wrong.
This has to be one of those American cultural exports which are so plaguing us at this point in the century, and this one is unquestionably pernicious, for once one believes that everything in one's head is some sort of inviolable principle (or indeed tenet), it becomes that much harder to listen to people with alternative notions, let alone submit to government by them for a fixed term.
2 comments:
Growing up, it was a common refrain that there was no difference between policy of the GOP or the Democrats. I still hear that statement now and then but I think it false. We have come to a point where moving even a little from our declared position is difficult; the give them an inch, 'they' will take a mile rule is paramount in both camps.
The far edges of the political spectrum get the news coverage, both edges tend to the outrageous, those talking points make the news. We get a distorted view of what average thinking people think is good policy. The people who vote are evenly split but there is a massive third of the population who do not vote because for the most part, they feel there is no difference between the two political groups in the US. The polarization is designed to attract those who can see no difference between the two US political parties. I could be wrong.
I suspect you are not.
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