I want to float one other potential factor. Increased lifespans.
There's the old saying that "Science advances one funeral at a time". I think the same is true for social change. People are not as flexible in their belief systems as they like to think, and for a long time, generational turnover was what drove social progress. Now, with pe…
I want to float one other potential factor. Increased lifespans.
There's the old saying that "Science advances one funeral at a time". I think the same is true for social change. People are not as flexible in their belief systems as they like to think, and for a long time, generational turnover was what drove social progress. Now, with people living longer, voting for longer, and holding onto power longer, there's more inertia thwarting generational progress.
One thing that stuck with me from the podcast, is Sarah seems to know why these people cling to the Republican party despite what they've become. She kept dancing around it. These people hate social progress. Sure, there are some wealthy business owners who are up in arms about marginal tax rates or regulation, but they are a tiny fraction of a minority. Most Republicans stick with the party because they are mad about all the non-white people they see, or the gay couple, or their non-binary nephew.
Because Sarah is a kind, curious person, she has a hard time admitting the simple truth, that these people are mostly just bigots, and are fundamentally incurious and uncaring people at heart. Their worlds are small and constrained, and they resist every attempt to make them even the tiniest bit more open. Sadly, for most of them, they'll take those beliefs to their graves.
You're right that pure actuarial math will take its toll on MAGA. I'm not wishing for it, but a lengthy bout of economic misery could speed the process. People who lack empathy seldom have the type of epiphany that leads them to suddenly feel for others. However, a nasty recession might lead them to stop feeding their delight at the persecution of the marginalized at the expense of their own economic self-interest. When people can pay their bills they can afford to side with the richest 1% in keeping taxes low and the deep state at bay. But when they're hurting, they may worry less about transgender kids on school sports teams and more about economic programs that won't be there unless the 1% pay their share. But who knows? I never would have dreamed the lovely folks at Fox News would be able to keep heads spinning over Hunter Biden this long.
One thing to potentially consider is the insight of a former colleague of mine. He said that as we age our worlds inevitably become smaller. We become less mobile, more routinized, less curious. It is why you need to make sure that you expand your world as much as possible before you get too old.
Take a look at the work of political psychologist Karen Stenner. She studies what she calls the authoritarian disposition, people who like social norms to remain unchanged, what you're describing above. Yes, incurious, but they are caring about people who look like them and speak as they do. It's an enduring personality type, about a third of the people in any human society. Not a choice. See https://www.karenstenner.com/.
I think this is part of the reason Trump caused so many familial/generational rifts. Imagine being raised by someone with an authoritarian disposition (or two someones) and then they go all in on this morally abhorrent wannabe dictator. It's just salt on the wound, you know?
I want to float one other potential factor. Increased lifespans.
There's the old saying that "Science advances one funeral at a time". I think the same is true for social change. People are not as flexible in their belief systems as they like to think, and for a long time, generational turnover was what drove social progress. Now, with people living longer, voting for longer, and holding onto power longer, there's more inertia thwarting generational progress.
One thing that stuck with me from the podcast, is Sarah seems to know why these people cling to the Republican party despite what they've become. She kept dancing around it. These people hate social progress. Sure, there are some wealthy business owners who are up in arms about marginal tax rates or regulation, but they are a tiny fraction of a minority. Most Republicans stick with the party because they are mad about all the non-white people they see, or the gay couple, or their non-binary nephew.
Because Sarah is a kind, curious person, she has a hard time admitting the simple truth, that these people are mostly just bigots, and are fundamentally incurious and uncaring people at heart. Their worlds are small and constrained, and they resist every attempt to make them even the tiniest bit more open. Sadly, for most of them, they'll take those beliefs to their graves.
You're right that pure actuarial math will take its toll on MAGA. I'm not wishing for it, but a lengthy bout of economic misery could speed the process. People who lack empathy seldom have the type of epiphany that leads them to suddenly feel for others. However, a nasty recession might lead them to stop feeding their delight at the persecution of the marginalized at the expense of their own economic self-interest. When people can pay their bills they can afford to side with the richest 1% in keeping taxes low and the deep state at bay. But when they're hurting, they may worry less about transgender kids on school sports teams and more about economic programs that won't be there unless the 1% pay their share. But who knows? I never would have dreamed the lovely folks at Fox News would be able to keep heads spinning over Hunter Biden this long.
I doubt it... Recessions throughout history tend to coincide with increased xenophobia and far-right political success.
It may be illogical, but when a recession hits, right wing politicians can easily sell people on the "look at that immigrant stealing your job" line.
Agree. Recessions are blamed on the party in power.
Agree. Recessions are blamed on the party in power.
This is an excellent point.
One thing to potentially consider is the insight of a former colleague of mine. He said that as we age our worlds inevitably become smaller. We become less mobile, more routinized, less curious. It is why you need to make sure that you expand your world as much as possible before you get too old.
Take a look at the work of political psychologist Karen Stenner. She studies what she calls the authoritarian disposition, people who like social norms to remain unchanged, what you're describing above. Yes, incurious, but they are caring about people who look like them and speak as they do. It's an enduring personality type, about a third of the people in any human society. Not a choice. See https://www.karenstenner.com/.
I think this is part of the reason Trump caused so many familial/generational rifts. Imagine being raised by someone with an authoritarian disposition (or two someones) and then they go all in on this morally abhorrent wannabe dictator. It's just salt on the wound, you know?
Yep.