Why are Conservatives so far to the right and why are Liberals so far to the left? Will there ever be any middle ground?
2006-07-07 15:52:12 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Government
Good question. I think most people in America are fairly moderate just like our congress. I mean, if everyone was so far apart, nothing would get done. Unfortunately, our two most prominent parties have very left and right leadership and the culture of Washington permits it. Human nature can't be discounted either. People tend not to be cooperative when someone opposes thier view. I'm optimistic, I have friends that are very conservative and others that are liberals. We agree not to agree but we are still all close friends.
I would have to say that conservative views are a little closer to the mainstream than liberal views. However, each party has its share of wackos.
2006-07-07 16:18:26 · answer #1 · answered by Qpid59 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Liberals and conservatives have, over the years, grown to hate their opposite side. Politicians today would rather be extremely left or right, than to work with the ones the "oppose" them. Sure, there might be middle ground someday, because we already see signs of it with the liberals quieting down about their views, and conservatives coming closer to the center. It's a cycle, really. It's been extreme opposite-ism for the past 4 or so years, and now it is coming back to the middle. After that, it will go back out to extreme-ism.
2006-07-07 23:03:57 · answer #2 · answered by splanky 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Stances shift when times change. Throughout history, the political ideology of each political party changes during certain points of time. There are a few Democrats and Republicans who are on middle ground though.
2006-07-07 22:56:29 · answer #3 · answered by 2-3,2-4,4-3,4-4,3-4,4-2,5-4 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Political parties tend to support policies close to the preference of their median voter. Because of the primary system, the voters of each party choose their candidates. Therefore, the candidates will represent the median voter of their party, not the median voter of the entire electorate. The primary system inevitably pushes both major parties away from the center.
2006-07-07 23:40:33 · answer #4 · answered by lurch9884 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Often parties go way to the left or right to gather a solid base and slowly go to the middle as election day approaches. Who know's what they really want to do.
2006-07-07 22:57:43 · answer #5 · answered by bumpocooper 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Liberals are certainly closer to the centre than the far right looney Conservatives.
Jules, Australia.
2006-07-07 22:59:18 · answer #6 · answered by Jules G 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋