The Three Languages of Politics: Talking Across the Political Divides

by Arnold Kling

In politics, I claim that progressives, conservatives, and libertarians are like tribes speaking different languages. The language that resonates with one tribe does not connect with the others. As a result, political discussions do not lead to agreement. Instead, most political commentary serves to increase polarization.

I call this the three-axes model of political communication. A progressive will communicate along the oppressor-oppressed axis, framing issues in terms of the (P) dichotomy. A conservative will communicate along the civilization-barbarism axis, framing issues in terms of the (C) dichotomy. A libertarian will communicate along the liberty-coercion axis, framing issues in terms of the (L) dichotomy.

More polarization exists among well-informed voters than among poorly informed voters.

We naturally tend to organize into tribe-like groups. Tribes differentiate in part on the basis of shared beliefs, including political beliefs.

Moreover, the sense of moral purpose is strengthened if the group can be distinguished from other groups. That is, the significance of our moral purpose is higher if our group has an enemy.

it is not a coincidence that as religious sentiment has weakened, political sentiment has strengthened.

think that people today can quickly identify political allies by listening for arguments that employ their preferred axis.

People need to affiliate with groups. Moreover, as we settled into larger groups than hunter-gatherer bands, we evolved a need to belong to groups that embody a higher moral purpose. For centuries, major religions met this need, but now the need is being met increasingly by political affiliation.

As a libertarian, you have achieved closure when you have become convinced that those with whom you disagree are at best indifferent to the expansion of government’s scope and power.

Libertarians view markets as promoting peaceful cooperation. Everyone succeeds in the market, because each voluntary exchange benefits both parties, and the entire network of voluntary exchange creates prosperity.