OK, I'm not a philosopher. However, I do get into many intellectual discussions with friends, particularly when it comes to contemporary politics.
Recently a friend of mine argued that, when it comes to how politicians actually function, there is ultimately little difference between Democrats and Republicans. He got a bit excited and extended the argument to Progressives & Conservatives, and Leftists & Rightists. They all say they will do what they seldom end-up doing or may even do the opposite. They make promises that could get them elected to office but, once in office, routinely break their promises. He proceeded to say that based on this conclusion, people ought to vote on the basis of what their gut feeling is about the likelihood of truthfulness of the candidate, rather than the issues.
After the fold, I share my response to him, and I have tabulated 22 areas where we differed, and basically set up two columns. Which column do you think you identify with?
Edit: With the all the brouhaha resulting from Hillary's atrocious remarks, I decided to post this now because I really needed a distraction from all that depressing stuff. I have always supported Obama, but to see Clinton fall the way she has was simply sad!
I did understand what my friend was trying to say. I told him that I thought there was some truth to his argument. I insisted, however, that the differences in ideology have an overarching effect on policy. I suggested that, aside from the fine details of political behaviour and subtleties of legislative language (where micro level effects of these ideological differences may be found), the objective observer would easily be able to discern a huge impact of ideology at a systemic level (macro level effects). I described the differences in political culture that exist between the Bush administration and the Clinton administration as an illustrative example. I felt incredulous doing this, because I had believed this was just so obvious to everyone with half a brain.
So upon reflection on that discussion, I sat down later and wrote what I thought were the most obvious ideological differences. At the risk of coming across as if I was preaching to the converted, I thought I would share what I came up with.
I hope this lightens your day too!
Please note that this is just a series of my thoughts. I do not claim this table to be some kind of official manifesto.
1 |
Means Matter: The rule of law defines us and keeps our behaviour just and humane. Internal change and foreign policy can be effected by such disciplined adherence of the rule of law, both national and international.
| vs. |
Ends justify the means. Our might will always mean our actions are right. Our wars are always just, and our foreign policy should follow what we think is right (rather than international law).
|
2 |
All Humans are created equal.
| vs. |
All White American Protestant Men are created equal.
|
3 |
Individual liberties via constitutional rights.
| vs. |
"Liberty" and the Hell with constitutional rights.
|
4 |
The “Other” is just as human as “we” are, and we need to empathise with the other in order to understand and build relationships.
| vs. |
“Other’? What “other”?
|
5 |
The lives and dignity of all people (whether American or not, e.g., Iraqis, illegal immigrants, etc.) are worthy of protection from peril (death, torture, famine, disease, etc.)
| vs. |
We have a “culture of life”; and those who don’t, deserve to be smoked out of their caves, stumped on, waterboarded, and shot to death with a machine gun (unless they're white American citizens).
|
6 |
Few things, if any, can be categorized in a binary fashion, and most things are a shade of grey rather than black or white (even this diary misses the point by dividing people into only two categories).
| vs. |
"You are either with us, or you’re with the enemy".
|
7 |
Taxes are given to government in trust in order to preserve public good and ensure the welfare of the whole.
| vs. |
Government steals my money and calls it taxes then spends it on programs for lazy people and minorities. Unless, of course, its spent on our corporate friends.
|
8 |
Socio-economic policy needs to be conceived in “bottom-up” terms if prosperity is to be achieved.
| vs. |
The “top-down” approach works best, especially for those on the top.
|
9 |
We like the good in capitalism and act to minimize the bad.
| vs. |
If you don’t like something about capitalism, you must be a socialist (aka communist, aka traitor).
|
10 |
Poverty and class-inequality result from injustice of the socio-economic policies and from a prejudiced culture. Demanding fairness is not hateful, it is both justified and necessary!
| vs. |
The term “class-inequality” is class-warfare: The envious and lazy poor are attacking the successful rich and blaming them for their ills. Demands for so called "fairness" are veiled expressions of hatred.
|
11 |
Imigration built this country and enriches it.
| vs. |
Immigrants are leaches and dilute (aka contaminate) the WASP majority.
|
12 |
You are free to follow any belief system.
| vs. |
You are free to chose not to be Christian; but if you do, you ought to lose your freedom.
|
13 |
The concept of race and the emphasis on ethnicity in society reflects natural prejudices that need to be tamed with education and eliminated with policy.
| vs. |
Racism exists, just not in us; and we have to deny it at all times, especially when we practice it.
|
14 |
Gender equality has not been fully achieved and needs to be enforced. Much more work is needed.
| vs. |
We (the men in power) believe that women are happy the way things are. After all, this is the natural order of things!
|
15 |
Bravado and macho-ism among politicians create a mask that hides militarism and disrespect for the “other”.
| vs. |
What did you just say? You can’t be a patriot!
|
16 |
Dissent is healthy and encourages constructive debate when it is respected.
| vs. |
Dissent is agreeable when the dissenting voice can be converted, or otherwise squashed or relegated to the “extremist fringe”.
|
17 |
Isolationism results from a form of collective narcissism and is a recipe for the end of American leadership in the world that also promotes anti-Americanism.
| vs. |
We should only worry about us; and if we have to be bullies to lead the world (aka expand our empire), so be it.
|
18 |
We do not need an enemy to identify who we are or to remain patriotic. In order to remain secure we need to guard against using power, rhetoric or policy to create enemies. That would be plenty to be proud of.
| vs. |
We can only begin to be secure by identifying our enemies; and we should always have enemies, and then eliminate them and pride ourselves in doing so. And since we will always have enemies, we should always be afraid.
|
19 |
People everywhere have the right to resist oppression, totalitarianism, occupation, and foreign hegemony, as long as they respect the human rights of others.
| vs. |
We don't care why you're resisting. If you’re aggressive while resisting, or if you're resisting us, you must be a GITMO-worthy terrorist.
|
20 |
Community!
| vs. |
Individuals!
|
21 |
Grass-roots activism should and could influence politics, and would ideally lead to a more fair and representative system that rewards their efforts.
| vs. |
We love grass roots: We can get them to vote their values, and they do the work of the government, leaving tax money for our cronies. Just keep them away from politics once you’ve gotten them to vote us in.
|
22 |
Hope.
| vs. |
Fear.
|
I do not claim this to be an exhaustive list. It is just what I jotted down the other day after the discussion I referred to above. I also know that almost everybody at DK knows these differences. I also know others on DK may have published diaries that are to varying extents similar to this one. When I prepared this diary, I was almost able to hear the collective "Duh!"
Why publish a diary about it?
Well, I honestly felt re-energized and fired up as I was writing it down. I instantly recognized many of the different elements that got me into the Obama camp, and I thought it was nice to have things crystallized this way. Sharing it on DK was a result of this invigoration of enthusiasm that I felt.
I would certainly love to get your feedback and any constructive criticism. I'm sure you will let me know if this was totally useless. But I would also like it very much if you could suggest additional ideological differences that I might have missed!
In fact, if I like your suggestions, I will try to add any additional conceptional differences between the two ends of the world of political ideology (duly crediting you and referring to your comment entry).
Peace!
UPDATE#1: Edits to item #10 compliments of relentless, suggested in this comment.
UPDATE#2: Item #20 added courtesy of JohnHo's nice comment. Total is now 22.
UPDATE#3: Edits to #14 compliments of AussieJo, suggested in this comment.
UPDATE#4: Edits to #1 compliments of HoundDog, suggested in this comment. Also, title edited.
Non-Update UPDATE 9:30AM May 24, 08: The diary is now at #45 on the new diaries list and will soon roll off the front page. I just want to thank those of you that have contributed to this diary. This was great fun! Cheers.