Throughout history, a large group of moderate politicians has governed the government in a way that reflects their political views. This group includes Abraham Lincoln, George W. Bush, and Marco Rubio. They are also known as the Right of Center, voters. Unlike their Right of Left counterparts, these moderates believe that the government should govern in a way that allows people to live their lives, but not in a way that is out of control.
Right-of-center voters
Moderate politicians and right-of-center voters are increasingly important players in American elections. According to new research, moderate politicians may be more prevalent than we realize. However, conventional methods of segmenting the electorate must pay more attention to their influence. The authors propose a new framework for studying America’s political midpoint.
Researchers surveyed 10,221 adults from July 8-18, 2021. The results show that Americans hold various views on economic and social issues. Many policy debates involve the appropriate level of government intervention in the economy and social behavior.
Moderate politicians and right-of-center candidates are often skeptical of government abuse of power. They often support gay rights, women’s rights, and privacy. These policies align with the role of government in promoting a free society. On the other hand, they reject intolerance of the far-right.
Many moderate politicians are fearless in taking a stance on the most challenging issues. They are also very much in tune with the ethos of individualism and personal responsibility.
Prioritize fiscal demands over social issues
Moderate politicians generally prioritize fiscal demands over social issues. Generally conservative on fiscal matters, they believe in free enterprise and the right to create jobs. They also reject shallow campaign tactics and petty politics. They want a strong economy, reforming the tax system, and a government that focuses on the best way to govern. However, they are dismayed by the federal debt.
Moderate Republicans are less likely to consider dealing with poverty, low-income families, and crime a top policy priority. Instead, they believe in protecting the freedom of enterprise and the government’s role in ensuring a free market. And moderate Republicans, in particular, embrace the inclusive tradition of the Republican Party.
While the nation’s economy and dealing with the COVID-19 virus remain at the top of the public’s agenda, many issues have slipped in importance. For example, the share of adults who say the economy should be a top priority has fallen from 75% to 63%. That’s a change that’s more common among independents than among Democrats. Also, fewer than half of adults with a college degree say securing Social Security should be a top priority.
Reject the intolerance of the far-right
Many xenophobic far-right parties have gained political ground in recent years in various countries. The intolerance of these groups has fueled the debate on whether or not their political affiliation affects their willingness to embrace civil rights for others. This is not an easy question, but it is crucial for a healthy democracy. Thankfully, social scientists have begun to explore this topic, and researchers are continuing to gather more information.
To better understand why intolerance exists among some conservative Democrats, researchers have analyzed over four decades of General Social Survey data. Although this study does not cover every possible aspect of discrimination, it does offer a good look into the behavior of this political group. The researchers found that the more tolerant Republicans are, the more likely they reject far-right intolerance. Generally, moderate Republicans believe that the government is not doing enough to protect the public’s welfare, but they also lament the interference of politicians in their fiscal and other priorities.
