Reasons for your political views

[DC Al Fine]

I'm trying to get an idea of why people believe what they believe. What principles inform your political views?

[ElectionsGuy]

For me, its mostly my belief in individualism. That can actually explain almost every one of my political viewpoints.

[barfbag]

I've always been one to support the option I think is best for the country. You'll find I have views all over the political spectrum and prefer pragmatism over partisanship. I believe things are best when the government is limited to how much it can infringe in the free market economy. I myself am socially conservative but politically I'm very centrist. When it comes to overseas I don't feel it's right for us to get involved in other the business of other countries unless it's in our best interest.

[PJ]

Economics- I don't believe someone is worth less because of the money they make.

Social- Everyone has a different version of morality, so it's not the government's duty to take sides on the matter.

Environment- Protection of the environment is the most essential issue there is, because the welfare of our planet depends on it.

Foreign Policy- It's not the United States's duty to tell other nations what they "should" be doing.

I'm becoming more and more socially libertarian.

[Redalgo]

My political convictions are built on the following assumptions:


1. Happiness is our goal, which is why we seek capital, which is why we need morals, which is why we need politics.

2. People are selfish and have limited mental capabilities; they are inescapably biased and imperfectly rational.

3. People can better pursue happiness if everybody considers everyone else deserving of care and respect.

4. Knowledge is a construct of the mind - a best guess of sorts; very few things can truly be known.

5. Decisions tend to get made intuitively, and the mind is quite good at coming up with rationalizations afterwards.

6. We thus cannot arrive at one objectively perfect set of policies; we need to decide on what policies to settle for.

7. Pursuits of political gain, influence over morality, control of capital, and happiness are like a game.

8. For it not to suck for a lot of people, it needs to have rules intended for excellent gameplay.

9. The integrity of the institutions and processes governing policy are far more important than what the policies are.

10. The social contract gives the system legitimacy; game rules grant rights in exchange for responsibilities imposed.

11. Constitutional republicanism, representative democracy, and liberalism let us settle our disputes peacefully.

12. Individualism, cultural and moral pluralism, and a condition of eternal revolution via elections also helps out.

13. Entrenched hierarchies of privilege lead to oppressive class strata; corruption will limit access to happiness.

14. Power mustn't be centralized or competitive arenas of the game get twisted for the benefit of just an elite few.

15. Authoritarianism, corporatism, capitalism, and imperialism are thus incompatible with my ideal for an excellent society.

16. Nepotism, clientelism, patrimonialism, markets captured by one or a few groups or actors, etc. are also threats.

17. These perils are countered with transparency, competition, free-flowing information, and fine educations for all.

18. Folks hurt each other and can fail in pursuits of happiness; we all deserve opportunities for satisfaction with life.

19. In the long run, good environmental stewardship is a must, or future generations may be deprived of happiness.

20. Human beings are not exceptional; our principles and values should apply universally to all life forms.

21. Political gridlock is generally better for the People than efficient oppression by a small band of privileged folk.

22. Yet the masses lack sufficient resources to competently self-govern; a division of labour is needed even in politics.

23. Markets with low barriers to entry and competing providers are usually more capable than bureaucratic hegemons.

24. But the state itself must be meticulously well-planned; its purpose transcends those of other business endeavors.

25. Morality comes from genes and experience; fundamental shifts in policy should reflect changes to the People's values.


There are perhaps many other things I could list here but this certainly seems like a good start at least. Some of them seem a bit repetitive, by the way. Sorry for that. I'm still thinking it through! This is a very heady thread compared to most of 'em I see on this forum.

[OAM]

It's long and complicated, and at this time of night I sadly don't have time to elaborate, but long story short, being on the receiving end of medical bills (for surgery on my legs) that nearly bankrupted my family at the age of 12.  Sure, I was a long way off from developing political conscience at that age, but when I did, most of my findings can be in some way traced back to that.  Economically mostly, socially is a different issue.

[True Federalist (진정한 연방 주의자)]

A desire for efficiency and efficacy lead me to my strong attachment to federalism.  If each level of government limits itself to those tasks that can best be achieved by it, then they can do what they do better.  A degree of permanence to those subdivisions is essential both to keep the national government from unnecessarily intruding, but also to keep those subdivisions from jostling with each other over territory and power.

[H. Ross Peron]

Empirical evidence and my moral views as derived from Scripture.

[Marnetmar]

Economic: I feel that the government should be conservative with money and liberal with human beings. I believe that free market capitalism is a good thing in and of itself and that what it needs to be successful are proper rules for people to play by to ensure fairness. The private sector should be utilized as much as possible, but this is where "as possible" comes in; if the private sector is absolutely unable to provide on an important asset in a way that is moral, fair, and efficient, the government then steps in.

Social/Cultural: I feel that the extent of the government's role in your personal life should be to ensure that your safety and rights are protected, that everybody is protected equally under the law. The government cannot enforce some subjective moral code that cannot be backed up with proper reason and logic, and cannot intrude into your personal life without a warrant.

Environmental: I feel that non-renewable energy resources and their resulting pollution is a threat to the health and wellbeing of the planet, therefore I strongly support replacing current resources like coal and oil with cleaner and more efficient ones. I personally do feel that global warming is a threat to the planet's wellbeing, but whether you believe in global warming or not, I must ask you, is this the air you want to be breathing? Does this look good for marine life?

[Grumpier Than Thou]

I read lots of articles and watch a lot of videos on political topics. I don't really have much real world experience yet.

[Grumpier Than Uncle Joe]

I read lots of articles and watch a lot of videos on political topics. I don't really have much real world experience yet.

Don't overanalyze it.  You're 17 with more whacky chemical reactions going on in your body than anyone can count.  That's why. 

[Antonio the Sixth]

I have long thought that my three core beliefs were:
- Humanism, that is the notion that there is nothing more valuable than humanity, that nothing outside of it matters.*
- Progressivism, that is the idea that humanity's ultimate goal and destiny is to improve itself and open up new horizons of human flourishing.
- Rationalism, that is the idea that the sole means to achieve progress is through rational thought and deliberation.

I am convinced that all my other political beliefs flow from these three propositions.


*note: this definition should be extended to encompass all other self-aware beings if some ever come to interact with us.

[Grumpier Than Thou]

I read lots of articles and watch a lot of videos on political topics. I don't really have much real world experience yet.

Don't overanalyze it.  You're 17 with more whacky chemical reactions going on in your body than anyone can count.  That's why. 

I'd say that's a better assessment as to why my pants get shorter when I see double d's

[TNF]

Growing up in a union household.

[True Federalist (진정한 연방 주의자)]

Growing up in a union household.

Those still exist?  Or were your parents government parasites workers?

[TNF]

Growing up in a union household.

Those still exist?  Or were your parents government parasites workers?

My dad works in a plastics factory and my mom is a teacher, so only 50/50 on that one.

[MissouriVoter]

Simple.

I don't believe government should be telling people how to run their own private lives, but I do think it has an interest in what powerful corporations do.

[Tetro Kornbluth]

Personal Cognitive biases.

[Ban my account ffs!]

For me, its mostly my belief in individualism. That can actually explain almost every one of my political viewpoints.

What?

Seriously... do you not see the massive cognitive dissonance at work here?  The psychological projection?

You obsess about individualism precisely because you are so dependent on others for your livelihood.  Maybe you have some deep seeded guilt because of it... so you project an ideology of extreme individuality to make up for it.. I dunno...

But dude, you're like 15.  I don't need to hear from the likes of you about the unquantifiable benefits of individualism.

[Ban my account ffs!]

At this piont my own political views all have various reasoning behind them.  I've kinda given up on trying to put my views into a neat ideological box.  Instead I've adopted a really great rule:

Progress, not perfection.

[barfbag]

At this piont my own political views all have various reasoning behind them.  I've kinda given up on trying to put my views into a neat ideological box.  Instead I've adopted a really great rule:

Progress, not perfection.

What is progress though? One might view it different from another.

[Hash]

I gained political consciousness (and interest) in a country governed by Stephen Harper. 'Nuff said.

(and now I work for the government, so...)

[dead0man]

Live and let live is where my social politics come from.  Rationalism (whatever works) is where my economic politics come from.

[dead0man]

For me, its mostly my belief in individualism. That can actually explain almost every one of my political viewpoints.

What?

Seriously... do you not see the massive cognitive dissonance at work here?  The psychological projection?

You obsess about individualism precisely because you are so dependent on others for your livelihood.  Maybe you have some deep seeded guilt because of it... so you project an ideology of extreme individuality to make up for it.. I dunno...

But dude, you're like 15.  I don't need to hear from the likes of you about the unquantifiable benefits of individualism.

Dude, he was answering the asked question, you don't HAVE to insult him.  I mean, if you want to look like a dick and do it, fine, but you didn't HAVE to do it.

[courts]

besides reading too much and my own natural disposition? i'd say in large part being raised by basically a colombian refugee and seeing how fu(ked up the old country really was thanks to crooks, marxists and various other degenerates. also grasping the implications of the liberal talking point that the backlash against "welfare" and socialism in general during the '70s-80s was largely motivated by "white" resentment. and of course all sorts of other psychological baggage and things unique to my time period. yes i know: therapy, asap.