Posted on 06/10/2024 12:42:39 PM PDT by TBP
In the convoluted dumpster fire of contemporary politics, we find ourselves at a peculiar crossroads. Many self-proclaimed staunch conservatives are returning to vote for Trump, driven by a blend of party loyalty and apprehension about a Biden administration. Yet, some of these individuals are not content with their choice alone—they actively criticize and vilify those within their ranks who choose a different path. To understand this phenomenon, let’s draw upon the insights of Eric Hoffer and Gustave Le Bon, which offer a deeper lens into the dynamics at play.
Today, like every other day over the last several weeks, I've awakened to numerous attacks from other conservatives for my protest vote against Donald Trump in favor of Joe Biden, who is more than likely going to win in November. Honestly, these attacks really started when I defended people voting for RFK Jr. as they were being called “unprincipled” ironically by people who are now voting for Trump after a year of calling him a pedophile and tyrant. Some are sincere criticisms, most are empty bobble headed critiques based off of whatever pop-con media they consume. I’ll clarify (for the 20th time) for the sincere ones: The point of my vote is that I just want one more vote to be a sign of MAGA’s demise. I don’t advocate for others to do it, and I understand those who will not out of their principles, which is fine. That said (again for the 20th time) the rest of this is more about those either now voting for Trump or not voting for Trump at all but getting caught up in groupthink where they think a vote is what makes one a conservative or not and find themselves attacking people for not making the choice they’re making in this slow motion clown car crash of an election we’re engaging in.
Party Loyalty and Fear
First, let’s acknowledge the legitimate reasons some conservatives have for voting for Trump. Party identity is a powerful force, providing a sense of belonging and continuity. For many, voting Republican is a deeply ingrained habit, a reflection of values and beliefs that have been cultivated over years. Additionally, the fear of a Biden administration and what it might mean for conservative policies and principles is a valid concern. These voters are motivated by a desire to protect what they see as core American values and the legacy of conservatism.
The True Believers and Crowd Psychology
However, it’s essential to distinguish between those who vote out of loyalty or fear and those who aggressively attack their fellow conservatives for choosing differently. Here, the work of Eric Hoffer in "The True Believer" and Gustave Le Bon in "The Crowd: A Study of the Popular Mind" provides valuable insights.
Hoffer describes the true believers as individuals driven by a need for certainty and belonging, often to the detriment of independent thought. For them, the movement’s identity becomes more important than its principles. They are less concerned with conservatism’s intellectual rigor and more with the fervor of the moment. This leads to a tendency to attack anyone who deviates from their chosen path, viewing dissent as a threat to their collective identity.
Le Bon discusses how individuals in a crowd lose their sense of personal responsibility and critical thinking. Emotions like anger and fear dominate, and simplistic, emotive appeals become more compelling than nuanced arguments. This is evident in the vitriol directed at conservatives who choose not to support Trump. The crowd, driven by a need for solidarity, turns on those who refuse to conform, seeing them as traitors rather than fellow conservatives with legitimate concerns.
The Irony of Allegiance
The irony is stark. Those who claim to be staunch conservatives, upholders of tradition and reason, are engaging in behavior that undermines these very principles. Conservatism values thoughtful deliberation, respect for differing opinions, and a commitment to reasoned discourse. Yet, these self-proclaimed defenders of conservatism are quick to condemn and ostracize anyone who does not align with their views.
Understanding vs. Condemnation
It’s one thing to vote for Trump out of loyalty or fear of a Biden administration—these motivations are understandable and deserve respect. But it’s entirely different to attack fellow conservatives for their choices. Such behavior reflects a misunderstanding of conservatism itself. True conservatism embraces diversity of thought and recognizes the value of principled disagreement.
Attacking from Both Sides
Interestingly, this criticism extends to those conservatives who choose not to vote for Trump but similarly attack others for their voting choices. These individuals are just as guilty of undermining conservative principles. By viewing conservatism as a mere team sport rather than a profound philosophical outlook, they reduce it to the very groupthink they should be opposing.
These critics, often lacking intellectual firepower, fail to engage in meaningful discourse. Instead, they resort to empty criticism, attacking those who make different choices. This behavior is antithetical to the spirit of conservatism, which should prioritize critical thinking and robust debate over knee-jerk reactions and factionalism.
The Need for Intellectual Rigor
To preserve the integrity of conservatism, we must emphasize intellectual rigor and principled leadership. This means engaging with differing viewpoints with respect and understanding, rather than resorting to attacks and condemnation. The strength of conservatism lies in its ability to adapt and evolve through thoughtful discourse, not in blind allegiance to a single figure or rigid adherence to factional lines.
Conclusion
In the current political landscape, the dynamics described by Hoffer and Le Bon are playing out within the conservative movement. While it’s natural to have differing opinions and motivations, it’s crucial to remember the core principles of conservatism: respect for tradition, prudence, and reasoned discourse.
We should understand and respect those who vote for Trump out of party loyalty or fear of Biden. However, we must be critical of those who attack their fellow conservatives for making different choices. True conservatism is not about uniformity of thought but about a shared commitment to principles that transcend any one leader or election.
In the end, it’s not about who you vote for but how you uphold the values that define conservatism. By fostering a culture of respect and intellectual engagement, we can ensure that conservatism remains a vibrant and principled force in American politics. Let’s move away from groupthink and empty criticism, advocating instead for critical thinking and substantive dialogue. This is the true test of conservatism, and it is one that we must pass to maintain our philosophical integrity as we rebuild.
Conservatism has never been about a person. It didn't require fealty to Taft or Goldwater or Reagan. It didn't require loyalty to Bill Buckley or Russell Kirk. Similarly, it does not revolve around Donald Trump.
Both much of MAGA and many anti-MAGA conservatives display an almost cultish devotion to their positions, to the point that they will attack fellow conservatives for holding a different view.
But as President Reagan said, "My 80 percent friend is not my 20 percent enemy."
Let's not be like the left. Let's not have a rigid Party Line from which no one can deviate in the slightest or we'll have them cancelled and destroyed. We're not them; we're better people.
That's not to say that conservatism doesn't have a broadly defining set of principles. But we should never fall into the rigid authoritarian thought policing of the left, and too many on the conservative side are showing quite a willingness to do so.
It's a bad conservative habit. (Libertarians too, in this regard.) We tend to be purists and we tend to eat our own. All that does is set us back and keep us losing.
We've got to stop playing that game.
This tripe posted already.
Right now the #1 conservative position is reducing the deep state’s control over Americans. Absolutely no one has done more to expose them than Trump.
Another twit of an author.
“BLAH BLAH BLAH ME. BLAH BLAH BLAH ME”
Mindreading is not analyis.
MAGA people are definitely not “party loyalty” types...that’s how 90% of demoncrats vote and that initial, main point is why this “analysis” is garbage.
Late comers [mostly RINO’s] see the writing on the wall and want to get on the winning train and not left at the station. It is, as always with them, self-interest. Not a principle among them.
Like the author is somehow not to blame in anyway for the convoluted dumpster fire. How do we know they are not?
But a vote against Trump is a vote against MAGA.
Where’s the conservatism in that?
Agree! Many prefer to wallow in their purity then to be elected!
“We tend to be purists and we tend to eat our own. All that does is set us back and keep us losing.”
I disagree. We never lose. What actually happens is the democrats steal elections.
This is one of the unforeseen costs of stealing elections. You invalidate yourself top to bottom.
I guess it goes something like this?
“I’m a conservative, but I don’t want to make American great again.”
(And let’s not miss the fact that these anti-MAGA “conservatives” have no alternative to making America great again.)
Well said.
Yeah, but it is formated this time.
That makes it better, right?
Your principled conservatism preventing you from voting for Trump is a false equivalency.
It’s Trump or destruction.
There is no other take.
If you don’t see that, you’re an arsehole and deserve the hell you’re bringing on yourself and your family.
Capture one or both of the political parties in the United States.Time to face reality.
“... we can ensure that conservatism remains a vibrant and principled force in American politics. “
In what sense is “conservatism” currently a “vibrant and principled force” in the USA or any Western country ?
It is a joke of faker politician Regime “conservatives” who have been utterly defeated by the Left on every issue.
I think he doth protest too much. 🤔 Not buying his 💩.
Democrats INVENTED this coercion! Biden: If you don’t vote democrat, you ain’t Black!”
Need I say more...
In some ways, it almost makes people like me hope that you get what you don't see coming, even though it & they are in everyone's face with their lies.
People like you refuse to wake up.
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