Democratic Party Rightward Drift

[Karl]

Stumbled across the graph below while researching a link in a recent thread on political leanings -- Forum Poster Composite of Political Ideologies -- which is worth a look/post.

While this is on UK parties I see the same thing happening in the US... namely, both major parties have drifted towards authoritarianism over the past several decades (military adventurism, domestic surveillance, eminent domain, etc).

I'm not (yet) convinced that the Democrats have shifted as far to the right on economic issues (with the exception of 'free' trade), but I certainly do seem them not working as hard to keep the concentration of wealth from trickling upwards (or if they are working as hard they are losing the battle).

The Republicans, now led by the Tea Party, have clearly shifted drastically on both fronts.

In the graph below the UK Labour party has taken a dramatic shift over the past 24 years (1982-2006). The Conservative party, not so much.

Political Compass: UK Parties 2010 General Election​

Compared to 1972, the UK has definitely moved from a centrist country to a authoritarian/right country. The US has, by all observations, done the same. Not good.

 

[Fletch]

The Tea Party generally represents and advocates LESS government. So I don't see how they are leading the charge toward authoritarianism. The left, with things like Obamacare and over regulation is leading the charge toward authoritarianism.

 

[TeleKat]

The Tea Party generally represents and advocates LESS government. So I don't see how they are leading the charge toward authoritarianism.

Less government in areas where they want less government. Like letting their corporate sponsors do whatever the hell they want. But when it comes to social issues, civil liberties, foreign policy, and immigration....they are about as authoritarian as it comes.

 

[Karl]

The Tea Party generally represents and advocates LESS government. So I don't see how they are leading the charge toward authoritarianism. The left, with things like Obamacare and over regulation is leading the charge toward authoritarianism.

The point is that BOTH parties are moving towards authoritarianism, and to various extents to the right economically... the 'northeasterly' trajectory depicted on the graph.

"Less" government is a flawed talking point. If we're going to have a discussion, let's have it in terms that are not manufactured or focus-group-tested.

 

[Jack Fabulous]

Stumbled across the graph below while researching a link in a recent thread on political leanings -- Forum Poster Composite of Political Ideologies -- which is worth a look/post.

While this is on UK parties I see the same thing happening in the US... namely, both major parties have drifted towards authoritarianism over the past several decades (military adventurism, domestic surveillance, eminent domain, etc).

I'm not (yet) convinced that the Democrats have shifted as far to the right on economic issues (with the exception of 'free' trade), but I certainly do seem them not working as hard to keep the concentration of wealth from trickling upwards (or if they are working as hard they are losing the battle).

The Republicans, now led by the Tea Party, have clearly shifted drastically on both fronts.

In the graph below the UK Labour party has taken a dramatic shift over the past 24 years (1982-2006). The Conservative party, not so much.

Political Compass: UK Parties 2010 General Election​

Compared to 1972, the UK has definitely moved from a centrist country to a authoritarian/right country. The US has, by all observations, done the same. Not good.

The Republicans are now "being led" by the Tea Party? Says who?

 

[Fiddytree]

The Tea Party generally represents and advocates LESS government. So I don't see how they are leading the charge toward authoritarianism. The left, with things like Obamacare and over regulation is leading the charge toward authoritarianism.

Selectively, perhaps. Conservative populism often relies on democratic means to suppress what they view as encroaching decay in the social fabric.

 

[tres borrachos]

The Republicans are now "being led" by the Tea Party? Says who?

You beat me to it. I don't care much for the Tea Party (some of their ideas are good, others not so much) but they are hardly leading the Republican Party.

To the point of the OP, I don't know that the Dems are leaning very right either, although it can be said that both parties have moved to authoritarianism in some way.

 

[Reformedfindlay]

Less government in areas where they want less government. Like letting their corporate sponsors do whatever the hell they want. But when it comes to social issues, civil liberties, foreign policy, and immigration....they are about as authoritarian as it comes.

For some reason (and this affects every party), on certain issues, parties tend to preach one thing and do another.

 

[ocean515]

Stumbled across the graph below while researching a link in a recent thread on political leanings -- Forum Poster Composite of Political Ideologies -- which is worth a look/post.

While this is on UK parties I see the same thing happening in the US... namely, both major parties have drifted towards authoritarianism over the past several decades (military adventurism, domestic surveillance, eminent domain, etc).

I'm not (yet) convinced that the Democrats have shifted as far to the right on economic issues (with the exception of 'free' trade), but I certainly do seem them not working as hard to keep the concentration of wealth from trickling upwards (or if they are working as hard they are losing the battle).

The Republicans, now led by the Tea Party, have clearly shifted drastically on both fronts.

In the graph below the UK Labour party has taken a dramatic shift over the past 24 years (1982-2006). The Conservative party, not so much.

Political Compass: UK Parties 2010 General Election​

Compared to 1972, the UK has definitely moved from a centrist country to a authoritarian/right country. The US has, by all observations, done the same. Not good.

Just curious. Where would "Progressives" be placed on the graph?

 

[tres borrachos]

For some reason (and this affects every party), on certain issues, parties tend to preach one thing and do another.

"Do as I say and not as I do" is the mantra of most politicians and it trickles into their daily lives and then onto their political agendas and deeds. The Tea Partiers just like so many others are also a hive of contradictions.

 

[Glen Contrarian]

The Tea Party generally represents and advocates LESS government. So I don't see how they are leading the charge toward authoritarianism. The left, with things like Obamacare and over regulation is leading the charge toward authoritarianism.

The Tea Party say they want less government...but try cutting defense, or taking away their Medicare or Social Security away. They're just fine with having smaller government...but only if it doesn't take away what they're already getting.

In other words, they - like so many conservatives - want the benefits of living in a first-world nation, but they don't want to pay for it.

 

[Fearandloathing]

Stumbled across the graph below while researching a link in a recent thread on political leanings -- Forum Poster Composite of Political Ideologies -- which is worth a look/post.

While this is on UK parties I see the same thing happening in the US... namely, both major parties have drifted towards authoritarianism over the past several decades (military adventurism, domestic surveillance, eminent domain, etc).

I'm not (yet) convinced that the Democrats have shifted as far to the right on economic issues (with the exception of 'free' trade), but I certainly do seem them not working as hard to keep the concentration of wealth from trickling upwards (or if they are working as hard they are losing the battle).

The Republicans, now led by the Tea Party, have clearly shifted drastically on both fronts.

In the graph below the UK Labour party has taken a dramatic shift over the past 24 years (1982-2006). The Conservative party, not so much.

Political Compass: UK Parties 2010 General Election​

Compared to 1972, the UK has definitely moved from a centrist country to a authoritarian/right country. The US has, by all observations, done the same. Not good.

AM I missing something here?

I do not see how election results in Britain four years ago affect anything in regard the United States electoral scene today. The politics and definitions there are as different even from Canada as Canada is from the US; "conservatives" here support universal health care, and, by remaining silent, gay marriage. The terms do not interchange between countries; a "liberal" here is far, far right of an American "liberal" as we have a socialist party to mop up that sewage.

Secondly, the article is clearly written by someone who wishes they had attended a political science class. He bases all he has to say on HIS definition of political terms which are becoming increasingly meaningless. And finally, the author needs to take some grammar lessons...there is no such word as "firstly"

 

[stockbrokers]

But Robinson suspects that I may be excessively sanguine.

 

[Karl]

[...] To the point of the OP, I don't know that the Dems are leaning very right either, although it can be said that both parties have moved to authoritarianism in some way.

The Dems seem to have snuggled up a little closer to business while the working and poor middle class have suffered economically.

 

[Paschendale]

Sadly, there isn't much of a populist movement in America right now. Democrats are trying too hard to be the party of the middle, instead of just doing what needs to be done, and the right is too busy playing the middle and lower classes against each other for the benefit of the rich to do any kind of populism.

We really do have two parties of the rich now, but at least the left isn't trying to instill anyone's religious ideas on anyone else (as much).

 

[Karl]

AM I missing something here? I do not see how election results in Britain four years ago affect anything in regard the United States electoral scene today. The politics and definitions there are as different even from Canada as Canada is from the US [...]

Apparently so. I'm not discussing Canada and have no desire to do so. The topic is the rightward/authoritarian shift of the two major US political parties; a rather stunning similar shift in the major UK political parties over the past 3-4 decades is used as an example.

To alleviate any confusion the remainder of your post may have visited upon readers, by US metrics the UK Conservative party would be considered similar in ideology to the US Republican party, while the UK Labour and Liberal Democrat parties would be considered similar to the US Democratic party.

 

[Unrepresented]

According to your chart, none of them particularly represent my views, currently or historically.

 

[TeleKat]

According to your chart, none of them particularly represent my views, currently or historically.

What are your views?

 

[Unrepresented]

What are your views?

I think we actually scored in the same quadrant in the other thread unless I've got you mixed up with someone. I'm deep bottom left. Closest on there is the '72 Labour Party, which still is fairly centrist.

 

[Fearandloathing]

Apparently so. I'm not discussing Canada and have no desire to do so. The topic is the rightward/authoritarian shift of the two major US political parties; a rather stunning similar shift in the major UK political parties over the past 3-4 decades is used as an example.

To alleviate any confusion the remainder of your post may have visited upon readers, by US metrics the UK Conservative party would be considered similar in ideology to the US Republican party, while the UK Labour and Liberal Democrat parties would be considered similar to the US Democratic party.

Ew...obviously you are far more intelligent than I.

You have a nice life

 

[ModerationNow!]

If the democratic party in America were to drift to the right, that would bring them a little closer to moderation and centrism. They have been moving further and further to the left over the past 10-20 years(as have the republicans). Both parties moving left, means that the republicans have moderated and dems have radicalized. You are spot on about authoritarianism though, as the modern progressive movement in America is very much an authoritarian movement. They only use democracy in as far as they manipulate people into voting the most "progressive" politicians into office, then those leftist 'leaders' push for policies that most Americans would be against, but we are deceived into supporting them. They work for bigger gov't, work to make America a one-party country, and essentially would love to dictate to us how we should live our lives. The left wing movement in America apparently see the rest of us as too stupid to be able to make the right decisions for ourselves, therefore we need them to decide for us, all the while lying to us about what exactly they are doing.....

 

[zoetherat]

On social issues, the US has moved to the left (gays, legalized pot, etc).

On economic issues, the US has moved to the right. Free trade has become the norm and a unionized industrial economy, a thing of the past.

On liberty vs security, the US has moved to the right because of terrorism.