So often when I read a liberal (like the guy in the Wall Street Journal this morning defending John K Galbraith) I am often puzzled: what is the appeal? I read art magazines and the slouchy hipsters say, "Of course our politics are way left...."
Liberal appeal has something to do with partying.
Liberal appeal has something to do with "cool."
I think social tolerance (sex, drugs, drag queens) is part of the explanation. I mean, what's more fun, a liberal frat house orgy or a golf outing? Ok, stereotypes, but the "right" doesn't hold much appeal especially in its non-libertarian (social conservative) mode. They offer work hard and Jesus. Compared to partying and skimming some cream off the Bill Gates empire (man, he wouldn't even notice!) to fund a rave house for the unemployed in Seattle, well, you see what I mean.
Liberal appeal has little to do with economics.
It's economic theories are mostly stagnant and disproven. Old school protectionism, populism, tax (eat) the rich, and let the government do most things hasn't changed much since the 1940s. I don't think liberal "economists" think that much about economics, they think about pollution, what's fair to unions, jobs lost to India, etc. Of course, I'm simplifying and a smart liberal can always make strong arguments: Nafta is a disaster, globalism is a disaster, global warming is a disaster already happening, capitalism causes disaster, even defending democracy (or ourselves) is a disaster. Notice what these have in common? Yes, the word disaster.
Liberal appeal has something to do with our innate fear of disaster.
This one is trickier: why would emphasizing disaster be appealing? Ah, because most people (part of the human condition) FEEL that "disaster" (i.e. death, danger, growing old, losing things) is always close. Denying it by boostering, say, Work hard! or Be Responsible! or even Love Jesus! is not the same as running with a crowd that agrees with you. Damn, life is hard! You think so, too? What do you think we should do about it? Someone should be helping us (raise our kids, find jobs, get educated, get medical care, save us from pesticides), shouldn't they? You think so, too?
You are my tribe!
Inevitably the combination of cool and the reputation for compassion and the somewhat anti-intellectual bent (you don't read? that's cool) make the Democrats, or the left, the party of young people, "hip" people (Hollywood et al), outsiders (like gays, with a chip on their shoulders--I'm not invited in, eh? I'll show you), minorities (promised social justice revenge from Reverend Wrights since childhood), rust belt unemployed, lost mortgagees, the frightened elders (I hate my kids, who is going to take care of me?).... add it all up (oh, I forgot teachers and unionistas) and you have a "party," not so much a party of ideas as a party of, well, disappointment, fear and promises of worldly goods through no effort on your own.
Ah, but I forgot something. The effort on your own reminded me.
Liberal appeal has something to do with the word community.
What does the right have--"gated" (restrictive) communities, country clubs? The left is flush with communities: gay, hispanic, latino, educational, ecological, animal rights, etc. What does the right have? The community of Jesus lovers, businessmen, self starters, crabby ranchers? Doesn't have the same weight. The left promises above all you won't be as lonely as you are now. Something will change. It's not fair to say they aren't willing to work, they do like some kinds of work. They like "trying" to do things like change the way people think, protesting, and
doing for the environment. They are the enthusiastic recyclers, green advocates, organic food buying, bicycle riding... things that help. Not easy things per se. But things that make them feel less lonely, slightly less desperate (you have to do something!) and therefore have an immediate emotional payoff that's harder to get with the right. Given all the work involved in saving the planet, they could even call the right lazy and selfish. Come to think of it, they do.
