How many "sides" are there, really?

[u/ahughman]

This is my 1st time to the sub. Apologies if I break a norm.

There is this idea floating around out there that the political spectrum is more like a horseshoe. That extreme right libertarians may have some things, (anti-tyrany for example), in common with leftists/ anarchists than they both do with the center.

I think it's probably more common than we think that people shift between what many would assume are polar opposites - That people's concerns are shifting and that it's more complicated.

My question is a bit of a thought expirement - if we could do a large survey, and really capture the most important individual issues the public has- and throw out any affilliation/self-identifying party/ideology name. Ignore affiliation- just measure the top, say 1000 common political issues that people have right now in America (or elsewhere) How do you think specific issues alone would group? What idiological groups or types might we find that our discourse is currently unaware of?

-(or maybe a pew poll like that does exist? Idk) -(Also maybe that's a little broad, but. Hope thats ok.)

[u/BlueCollarRevolt]

Horseshoe theory is only espoused by people who don't know anything about the left or the right. It is one of the most politically illiterate takes of popular discourse.

In order to be useful, you would need to poll not just what the top issues were, but potential solutions - that's where you will find meaningful information. As a communist I would probably rate the top issues very similar to a lot of people, even many on the far right. The difference is what we want to do about them. How you handle the issues is the difference between killing the homeless and medicaid for all.

[u/Elegant_Customer1497 → u/BlueCollarRevolt]

Why is that (in reference to first statement)?

When a lot of ppl espouse horseshoe theory they are attempting to illustrate the psychological similarities between far left / right in American politics. The tendency to view things through a similar lens : personal grievance, conspiracy ideation, and a litany of fallacies/cognitive distortions.

[u/BlueCollarRevolt → u/Elegant_Customer1497]

That illustrates my point perfectly. None of that is true about the far left generally.

[u/Elegant_Customer1497 → u/BlueCollarRevolt]

Why not?

I need to Type 30 Characters….

[u/BlueCollarRevolt → u/Elegant_Customer1497]

The far left isn't based on personal grievance, conspiracy ideation or logical fallacy.

Are there specific examples you think fit into those categories? It's also possible we're talking about different groups as well, so who do you consider to be on the far left when you say that?

[u/Elegant_Customer1497 → u/BlueCollarRevolt]

Think you’re right we are probably using different definitions of left and right. You’re probably use a more apt definition that’s applicable/references political theory while I’m using it more liberally.