The Three Languages of Politics: Talking Across the Political Divides

by Arnold Kling

Yet I found that progressives, conservatives, and libertarians tend to interpret Black Lives Matter in terms of their preferred axes.

The civilization-barbarism axis also is deep-seated. Peter Turchin points out that in times of war, each side thinks that it is fighting against a barbaric race. With history written by the winners, we think of the Romans as representing civilization in their conflicts with outsiders. However, with a little reflection on Romans’ conduct (slavery, deadly gladiatorial combat), we can see that the case that they represented moral virtue against barbaric opponents is not so clear-cut.

Returning to the present, as Americans we may have no doubt that suicide bombing is a barbarous tactic but that aerial drone strikes are legitimate. However, in countries where drone strikes have killed innocent civilians, the outlook might be different.

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.

If you are a progressive, you may find yourself saying that what conservatives and libertarians really want is a hierarchical society where the rich can exploit the poor at will. As a conservative, you may find yourself saying that what progressives and libertarians really want is to tear down all of society’s civilizing institutions. As a libertarian, you may find yourself saying that all progressives and conservatives want is a freedom-smothering nanny state.

Progressives believe in human betterment. They see nearly unlimited potential for humans to improve materially and, more important, morally.

Conservatives believe in human weakness. In biblical terms, man is “fallen.” The dark side of human nature will never be eradicated. It can be tamed only by social institutions, including the family, religion, and government.

Libertarians believe in human rationality. People pursue ends, and they act as they do for good reasons.