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The traditional "Left" vs "Right" spectrum was one-dimensional; beginning around 1960, it morphed into a two-dimensional measure, one axis (usually horizontal) based on economics -- open markets as opposed to a centrally-planned and regulated economy, and the second, usually-vertical axis based on personal freedoms (artistic, expressionary, "substance" (ab)use, sexual expression) vs. traditional values usually inked to religious and/or nationalistic absolutes.
The world was still emerging from the bloody consequences of the zenith of absolutism / Fascism during the 1930's; so the promotion of pluralism / "democracy" as unifying force among the handful of remaining open societies was a natural consequence among the small number of "tested" (no transfer of power by any means other than free elections) "democracies" which had endured. But the term "democracy" was often hijacked by the Marxists and more-intense socialists.
The libertarian movement, whether expressed by capitalization or not, emerged at this time. Committed libertarians often tended to flatter themselves by depicting their views at the upper right of the graph described above, while both Marxists and Nazis were sown on the far left -- Marxists usually further up on the vertical (social / expressionary) scale.
In recent years, this graph has occasionally been expanded to include a third dimension -- based upon whether changes advocated by the proponents of a particular set of values involved strictly voluntary measures or the use of force.
This circle consists of my take on where the various ideologies sit within the political spectrum
The fascist right and socialist left are right next to each other. both represent tyranny, with the US Constitution's conservatives at the bottom center. The current Democratic Party is at the very top left corner, embracing both socialist and fascist tyranny.
The original depictions to represent the circle may have been drawn by a European for all i know. I'm not sure which values, ideas or philosophies the "conservatives" on the right are trying to conserve.
I haven't read all of the responses. What I find interesting is that a lot of the conservatives and a couple liberals changed their minds on something after meeting someone or knowing of a personal situation. I saw gay marriage, gun rights, abortion, and immigration mentioned. I'm wondering if maybe people, particularly those who are more insulated for whatever reason, went out and met the people who are dealing with heavy issues rather than just parroting what they hear the talking heads say, there'd be less division.
I still think we need the death penalty, but the standards for guilt need to be higher. If a man is seen in the actual act of murdering people, the evidence is irrefutable, and there is absolutely no doubt, then the death penalty is fine.
As someone on the left or right, have you ever changed your mind politically about a topic? And if so, what was the topic and why did you change your mind?
I was a Republican from the 1970s until 2004. That's when I voted Democrat for the first time and have been voting Democrat ever since.
Like when a man is innocently sitting at home during a murder, and the police find evidence to place him on the scene? I have watched some documentaries where the corrupt police had it in for the defendant, and they tampered with and planted evidence. I'm referring to irrefutable evidence from eye witnesses where we also have sound and video, not simply evidence which is opinion, or could have been planted, corrupted or altered.
By mid 2021, I changed my mind in thinking Jimmy Carter would be the worst Democrat as POTUS of my life.
Come to think of it, yeah, that's about all I've changed as well.
I entered politics far after becoming an adult, so I had already ruled in what I thought, believed in, agreed with, etc. and then it was at that point when I chose the party that supported the same. So I haven't really had to change my mind about anything political, thus far.
I totally agree, I don't want uninformed ignorant voters, voting either. Those people who need a get out the vote drive, before they will vote, are so uninformed they would simply watch campaign ads and pick the candidate that lied the most convincingly, and promised the most. Even if it was you who got them interested to vote for candidate A, they'd be just as likely to blindly vote for candidate B.
Far too many people vote based on their emotions to instead of using common sense, researching the issues and asking themselves what is in the best interests of our country and its citizens as a whole. Many also vote based on the way their families have voted for decades.
This is not in the spirit of the question. Everyone already knows if you are hard core left or hard core right, you are probably an ideologue. Respect people's rights to believe differently than yourself. Challenge intellectually. I thought I was clear, but let's try again. All the other threads provide plenty of drama and nastiness. This one is trying to bring something different.
To all the sincere posts, great thoughts and content!
This question is not to be another echo chamber thread. Please respect the TOS and stay on topic.
Sincerely, I changed my mind on gay marriage.
My position in the past was that marriage was only between a man and a woman. I had no problem if a gay couple was allowed a domestic partnership, as long as they had equal protections. But, i was convinced that in a system with two versions of marriage, changing from one state to the other, that gay couples would always get screwed over in some legal loop hole. So I changed my views, and saw only using the same exact marriage laws / contracts, was the only way to assure the Rights of everyone would be protected universally.
I've changed my mind about being so open minded. I've learned that it's good to have some boundries in society.
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