The traditional left-right political spectrum has long been the dominant model for understanding political opinion in the United States. While this model provides a simple framework, I have always felt that it fails to capture the nuances and complexities of political thought.
Based on my observations and readings of different political opinions, I believe there are at least six distinct political mindsets that Americans hold. These mindsets are: Progressive, Conservative, Liberal, Libertarian, Democratic Socialist, and Mutual Benefit.
Each mindset, I believe, is grounded in a fundamental belief about what should drive the country towards success, leading to differing visions of what constitutes an ideal American society as well as the government's role in supporting their distinct visions. Let's go through each mindset.
Note: The following only provides a short introduction to the six mindsets. Future posts will go in greater depth into each mindset.
Those who hold the progressive mindset - of which I am obviously one - believe fundamentally in a people-driven nation. That is, they believe that a nation's true success, prosperity, and influence in the world is determined first and foremost by the will, character, and determination of its citizens.
As a result, they envision a safe, prosperous, free nation, governed by responsible stewards of the people, where no one is above the law, everyone has a fair shot at success, and every citizen has equal say in how government is run.
With this view, proponents of the progressive mindset advocate for a government that ensures equal opportunity and representation for all, empowering individuals to participate in shaping their society.
Those who hold the conservative mindset support a morality-driven nation. They assert that a society of "morally-strong" citizens - i.e. people who are productive, of good character, charitable, etc. - are essential for the nation's success.
As such, they envision an orderly nation in which the "morally strong" are justly protected and rewarded and the "morally weak" - those who are lazy or unproductive, of poor character, undocumented, etc. - are rightly punished or excluded.
With this view, they believe the role of government is to ensure this structure, serving to protect the morally strong and punish or exclude the morally weak.
Proponents of the liberal mindset believe in a justice-driven nation, where fairness, equity, and the well-being of all citizens are paramount. These proponents believe that a nation is only as strong as its most vulnerable people.
As a result, they envision a free, caring society, led by caring, empathetic leaders, whose concerns are addressing social and economic inequalities, protecting civil rights, and promoting social justice.
Those who hold the libertarian mindset believe in a liberty-driven nation. Proponents of this view believe that the nation's success is dependent on the creativity and initiative of its citizens.
As such, these proponents emphasize individual freedoms, rights, and liberties. They believe in limited government intervention and advocate for economic freedom and personal autonomy.
Those who follow the Democratic Socialist mindset believe firmly in a labor-driven nation, where the working class plays a central role in driving economic and social progress.
Proponents of this view envision an equitable and just nation in which all citizens, especially the members of the working class, share a degree of control or ownership over key economic industries and processes.
As such, proponents advocate for government policies that challenge corporate power, protect and support workers' rights, and promote economic equality.
This mindset is one held by a large portion of those who are considered "undecided" or "centrist" or "in the middle" in the left-right political spectrum. Those who hold this mindset believe ultimately that success is driven not by strict adherence to principles or to promoting the common good, but by the pursuit of self-interest.
As such, they evaluate elected officials based on how well they can serve them - i.e. providing benefits to the people. In exchange for this service, they'll willingly provide support to certain candidates - either through money, endorsements, or votes.
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A simple table helps to denote the differences between these political mindsets:
| Political Mindset | Believed Driver of Success | Political Vision |
|---|---|---|
| Progressive | The People | A safe, prosperous, and free nation, governed by responsible stewards of the people, where no one is above the law, everyone has a fair shot at success, and each citizen has equal say in how government is run. |
| Conservative | Morality | An orderly nation, governed and led by morally-strong leaders, in which morally-strong citizens are justly protected and/or rewarded and morally-weak people are appropriately punished or excluded. |
| Liberal | Justice | A free, just, and caring society, governed by caring, empathetic leaders, whose concerns are addressing social and economic inequity, protecting civil rights, and promoting social justice. |
| Libertarian | Individual Liberties | A free, prosperous, and individualistic nation, governed by limited, non-intrusive stewards, where individual rights and liberties are paramount, everyone has the opportunity to pursue their own dreams, and each citizen has the freedom to make their own choices. |
| Democratic Socialist | Labor | An equitable and just nation in which members of the working class share a degree of control or ownership over key economic industries, processes, and drivers. |
| Mutual Benefit | Self-Interest | A safe, free, and prosperous nation governed by adept political players who work to benefit the citizens. |
A few points in presenting these six mindsets. First, there is large variety of political positions individuals can hold within a specific mindset, and thus plenty of room for disagreement between individuals who hold that mindset.
For example, with the conservative mindset, there may be a lot of disagreement between conservatives as to who would be considered "morally strong" or "morally weak."
Likewise, with the Democratic Socialist mindset, in which there may be large disagreement as to how socialistic government should be.
Second, individuals' adoption of a specific mindset is often not a result of intense philosophical research; more likely than not, it is rather due to an intuitive attraction to the vision.
Thus, as progressives, the goal is not simply to "convert" others to our mindset. Rather it is to shape the political conversation using the vision and values of the progressive mindset.
By framing issues within the progressive mindset, we can influence public opinion and drive policy change. By understanding the different political mindsets, we can approach discussions strategically and effectively promote our vision for a just, equitable, and people-centered society.