General Politics Thread

Liberal or conservative? Reactions to disgust are a dead giveaway

Wow. What an interesting find.

On another note, reposting an unanswered question:

Sociocracy. Has anyone tried applying it to political governance? Also, does it count as a form of democracy, or is it so different that it should be considered a separate form of political system altogether?

John F. Kennedy's prophetic warnings on television, money, and politics.

Is there a term for those applying ideals from both ends of the political spectrum, like, what do we call a party that applies these bits:

1. Feminism (the good kind that should advocate gender equality)

2. Secularism

3. Capitalism

4. Traditionalists (not religious, more or less into restoring a country back into an absolute monarchy)

edited 12th Dec '14 6:06:11 AM by HallowHawk

I'd tentatively call them a "mixed" or "politically ecletic" party, pending a better term.

I see. Thanks.

Also, can I send you a PM?

... I didn't know you had to ask before sending a PM.

BTW, anyone good feedback on my sociocracy question?

It seems like a good system, and I thought of it being applied to stuff like elections and referendums.

However, let's see if more organizations and institutions adopt it before we get to do it on nation-states

Couldn't the organization structures of some tribal people be considered sociocratic already? It is definitely a form of democracy since the power still lies with the people and legitimacy is derived from the bottom up. Even more so than in current forms of democracy.

@ Marq FJA

Sorry. Feels more polite doing so.

I'll just leave this here.

From The BBC — Is democracy in the doldrums?

edited 30th Apr '15 11:59:42 PM by Greenmantle

So "People can't stand politics because they view the politicos as too fake", due to a societal shift on the value of authenticity.

Sounds legit.

That's basically what happened to Athens. After one century of direct democracy, every "natural" law had been exposed as protecting special group interests, every argument was shown to be subversible, nothing was true, and everything sucked. They got extremely jaded and the whole system collapsed as a result.

Representative democracy slows down the change somewhat, but eventually entrenchment means a revolutionary regime overhaul is the only option.

How I tried to quit the liberal guilt machine and failed

It's an interesting account of how the article writer took a step out of the liberal echo chamber, and not only developed a better understanding of conservatism, she eventually found confidence in her liberal beliefs.

Sure, it only brushes on certain parts of both spectrums (libertarianism on the right, Tumblr-style social liberalism on the left), but I emphasize with the article writer. Honestly, even here I'm hesitant to frequent On-Topic for too long, because even when I agree with most of the beliefs, I start feeling alienated from all the passion. Most of these issues do deserve passion, since people's well-being hinges on them, but there's still the feeling that I'm not sure enough of my own political beliefs.

I'm a single-issues voter. At the moment, I can't support the Republican Party, because even if libertarians support LGBT rights, they're still voting for candidates who support same-sex civil unions—at best. Unless the GOP revise their Marriage plank and support candidates to go along with it accordingly, I can't give my vote at that side.

On the other hand, money. Social Security has an uncertain future, people close in my life have more expensive healthcare under the ACA, and I don't even know how socialism is turning out for European economies. One friend claimed that its going downhill because of that, but I don't even know where to start to verify that claim. (European tropers, feel free to rebuke me.)

Oh, and Tumblr culture. While SJWs are a Vocal Minority, the general attitude still paints the political discussion in places like here, Reddit, and Twitter.

There's still too many gaps in my political knowledge, and I don't feel comfortable in putting my foot down until I'm convinced I'm on the best side possible.

Keep in mind that most countries in Europe are or tend to be social democracies (that is to say, it involves a mixed approach).

The reason why social security here is going down is due to: a) austerity and budget cuts; and b) a pressure to privatize/liberalize the vital stuff (water, transportation, and so forth).

At least that's how I see it from my Southern European perspective.

edited 26th May '15 9:21:33 AM by Quag15

And what I can't make my mind about is whatever free college education in America is even economically feasible.

How exactly do coalition parties work? I mean, does it have to be in the same ideology, or can two parties of different ideologies make a coalition work?

Quag: that's how I see it as well (from slightly to the north).

Which country are you from, if I may ask, btw?

Two parties of different ideologies can make a coalition. In terms of making the coalition work and sustain itself, however, it's best to have two parties of similar ideologies.

edited 18th Aug '15 6:22:14 AM by Quag15

Define "the same ideology", coalitions (which are between parties) vary a lot, but basically you're looking for two (or more) groups different enough to be separate parties (how different this is depends on the local electoral system) but similar enough that they are able to compromise and form a government (again the willingness to compromise varies greatly depending on who's in charge of what parties and what the local political landscape is).

edited 18th Aug '15 6:23:03 AM by Silasw

@Quag: France. When I was in school, there were many children with Portuguese names around, usually without a trace of an accent.

For example, Switzerland has always been governed by a coalition of the largest 4 parties^note And currently also a splinter party of the largest one since the fifties.[1]

edited 18th Aug '15 11:16:05 AM by Antiteilchen

(Balloon Juice) The Bounds of Civility

This refers to basically all European and North American Left Parties.

At least in Canada, voting splitting among the center and left has kept a Conservative government that is only supported by about a third of population unchallenged for nine years. In a first past the post system it's a legit concern.

It's why I don't get Green party supporters, if a third left leaning party gains traction without either the Liberals or the NDP totally and permanently imploding, Canada will essentially become a one party state democracy.

edited 23rd Sep '15 5:55:01 AM by Rationalinsanity

So there's a discussion that was going on over in the US Politics forum about how hazy the distinction between a legitimate democracy and a dictatorship can be. It reminded me of this quote from Jefferson when he wrote to Madison: "The executive power in our government is not the only, perhaps not even the principal, object of my solicitude. The tyranny of the legislature is really the danger most to be feared, and will continue to be so for many years to come. The tyranny of the executive power will come in its turn, but at a more distant period."

Is the change actually hazy, or is it more usually more abrupt?