- 18 Mar 2012 21:22
#13919766
Due to its emphasis on states' rights and the free market, the Republican Party is often associated with individualism. The Democrats, conversely, are seen as a more collectivist party due to its emphasis on using government programs and high taxes on the rich to help all Americans in a "we're all in this together" mentality.
I've often noticed strains of collectivism within the Republican Party, especially the social conservatives. Many evangelical Christians insist on encouraging the government to promote their specific set of family and religious values as the American standard; Neoconservatives during the Bush Administration insisted that US citizens should rally behind the President in the interests of national security. These two examples strongly lean in favor of unifying Americans behind a common cause, and often resort to criticism and chastisement towards group that refuse to go along ("you can't criticize the President in times of war!").
I wouldn't say that Republicans are mostly collectivist or individualist so much their party is a melding of collectivism and individualism. Free market Republicans with Libertarian sympathies, as well as ones against most forms of government aid, are individualist in the fact that they want Americans to stand on their own two feet without federal assistance. Conversely, many of these same Republicans are in favor of policies which would give increased federal control over many important functions (the PATRIOT Act for national security, the Defense of Marriage Act regarding same-sex marriage, etc.). Sometimes these two things can come into conflict and form deep rifts between Republican groups. Many Republicans now want to pull out of Iraq and are in favor of gay rights. In the latter case, such Republicans say that the government has no right to interfere in the bedrooms of consenting adults.
What are your thoughts on this?
I've often noticed strains of collectivism within the Republican Party, especially the social conservatives. Many evangelical Christians insist on encouraging the government to promote their specific set of family and religious values as the American standard; Neoconservatives during the Bush Administration insisted that US citizens should rally behind the President in the interests of national security. These two examples strongly lean in favor of unifying Americans behind a common cause, and often resort to criticism and chastisement towards group that refuse to go along ("you can't criticize the President in times of war!").
I wouldn't say that Republicans are mostly collectivist or individualist so much their party is a melding of collectivism and individualism. Free market Republicans with Libertarian sympathies, as well as ones against most forms of government aid, are individualist in the fact that they want Americans to stand on their own two feet without federal assistance. Conversely, many of these same Republicans are in favor of policies which would give increased federal control over many important functions (the PATRIOT Act for national security, the Defense of Marriage Act regarding same-sex marriage, etc.). Sometimes these two things can come into conflict and form deep rifts between Republican groups. Many Republicans now want to pull out of Iraq and are in favor of gay rights. In the latter case, such Republicans say that the government has no right to interfere in the bedrooms of consenting adults.
What are your thoughts on this?
"I think when you spread the wealth around, it's good for everybody."
~Barack HUSSEIN Obama
~Barack HUSSEIN Obama