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The Democratic Party Left Me Behind

horseshoe theory is dumb

perhaps there is some marginal convergence in politcal tactics, but there is no convergence in ideology

and it also assumes an oversimplified left-right continuum
 
The horseshoe theory is not based on convergence in ideology, just the end result of a form of authoritarianism. I'm not saying it isn't simple, or that it is right, all I am saying is that every time mdmh posts, I think of the left's version of the tea party and I am reminded that thinking like his helped Trump win and helped the right.
 
Shooshmoo said:
It's the horseshoe theory -- not sure about you, but MDMH is a good example.
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No, he's not. I think it was you I had asked in a different thread to explain why we are similar. If you or RJ want to expand, please go ahead.
 
people know that a standard horseshoe is not a circle....riiiiiiiight

also, here's the wiki [only definition that matters] definition:

In political theory, the horseshoe theory asserts that the far left and the far right, rather than being at opposite and opposing ends of a linear political continuum, in fact closely resemble one another, much like the ends of a horseshoe. The theory is attributed to French writer Jean-Pierre Faye.[1] Proponents of the theory point to a number of similarities between the far-left and the far-right, including their supposed propensity to gravitate to authoritarianism or totalitarianism. The horseshoe theory competes with the conventional linear left–right continuum system as well as the various multidimensional systems.
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MHB - You can be satisfied with the explanation in the post above yours, google the horseshoe theory, or read my posts where I feel compelled to respond to something mdmh says that makes him a hypocrite, runs counter to his supposed beliefs, or hurts the causes he claims to support -- the Claire thread is one example.
 
Shooshmoo said:
The horseshoe theory is not based on convergence in ideology, just the end result of a form of authoritarianism. I'm not saying it isn't simple, or that it is right, all I am saying is that every time mdmh posts, I think of the left's version of the tea party and I am reminded that thinking like his helped Trump win and helped the right.
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I don't know enough about MDMH's politics, but there is state-sponsored socialism and then there are other less centralized forms that are anti-authoritarian, even anarchist
 
Shooshmoo said:
MHB - You can be satisfied with the explanation in the post above yours, google the horseshoe theory, or read my posts where I feel compelled to respond to something mdmh says that makes him a hypocrite, runs counter to his supposed beliefs, or hurts the causes he claims to support -- the Claire thread is one example.
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Sorry, its all just so stupid though. To me it seems more a way to dismiss leftist politics outright than engage in any debate on the merits. So we avoid talking about any distinctions between the kind of housing solutions that exist, and say that mdmh hates poor people because he doesn't think market based, third way housing subsidies work.

I am familiar with the horseshoe theory. I'm also a member of an organization that emphasizes a more radical democracy than currently exists. I don't believe that the end result of my beliefs are totalitarian or authoritarian, otherwise I obviously wouldn't be a member. Your talking points ultimately help the right more than you think.
 
Advocating (even if “hyperbolically”) that political opponents (or merely laggards) be sent to gulags, guillotines, or pushed into traffic does not mitigate horseshoe theory concerns. And also helps the right.
 
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ConnorEl said:
Advocating (even if “hyperbolically”) that political opponents be sent to gulags, guillotines, or pushed into traffic does not mitigate horseshoe theory concerns. And also helps the right.
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It only helps the right to the extent that democrats buy into any equivalency between violence that exists on the extremes.
 
personally, there is a tension between the fact that I have pacifist tendencies and the fact that, historically, no significant transfer of power has occurred without violence
 
People that feign a fear of violence really just expose their privilege, and they ignore the violence that already exists in this country.
 
MHBDemon said:
It only helps the right to the extent that democrats buy into any equivalency between violence that exists on the extremes.
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Not really sure what you mean.

It helps the right because advocating for violent and unjust political retribution tends to invalidate for most folks whatever argument one is attempting to make. Right or left.
 
JuiceCrewAllStar said:
personally, there is a tension between the fact that I have pacifist tendencies and the fact that, historically, no significant transfer of power has occurred without violence
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