The need to belong to a group of like-minded individuals is a powerful craving. “The Communication Theory of Identity” states that humans yearn for a communal identity. The two-party system in the U.S. has perpetuated a binary line of thinking by forcing us to reside under the tents of either the Republicans or Democrats. Limited by a focus on major political parties, our political landscape hinders the development of views rooted in our personal values. Despite the diverse spectrum of political thought, third-party options face challenges, discouraging the exploration of alternative perspectives.
The intricate nature of the political spectrum leads to disagreements even within these parties, as seen with the emergence of distinct identities like “Trump Republicans” among Republicans. Individuals anchored to their political party may overlook exploring options on multiple issues. Consider the contemporary example where voters identifying as Democrats may disagree with Joe Biden’s stance on the Israel-Palestine conflict. In passionately engaging with this issue, individuals may question why they continue associating with the Democratic party when they fundamentally oppose certain policies. It becomes evident that dissociating from political parties and developing independent opinions is crucial. Don’t get me wrong, divorcing yourself from a political affiliation is a hard thing to do. However, it is crucial to recognize that political parties and their candidates express their views, not yours. In our country, it often feels like people’s political choices are limited to a small range of options, which usually leads to a narrow decision between Democrats and Republicans rather than being genuinely shaped by each person’s unique views and ideas. It’s easy to believe that a single political party can represent your perspective. But political parties fail to serve every individual in the context of their unique cultural, educational, religious and economic backgrounds unless, of course, you are affiliated with a political party that is run by you and you alone. To quote George Washington, “[political parties] are likely in the course of time and things, to become potent engines, by which cunning, ambitious, and unprincipled men will be enabled to subvert the power of the people and to usurp for themselves the reins of government.”
So, how do we detach ourselves from this way of thinking? For one, let’s consider our natural human tendency to have biases. To ask you to set aside your political bias would be foolish. However, I do think we have the ability to limit our bias to a certain extent. When a new topic of discussion comes up in political discourse, avoid labeling opinions as conservative, liberal, socialist, authoritarian, etc. Labels generate bias, and if we identify separate solutions for the same issue and create an opinion without labeling them, we can articulate a more personalized opinion rather than one bred out of our political socialization.
Consider each issue individually when forming your opinions. What I am suggesting is that instead of making broad claims such as “I’m socially liberal but economically conservative,” try delving into specific issues with greater precision. How do you feel about redlining or corporate regulation? What do you think is the best way to solve the issue of student debt? Asking yourself these questions allows you to not only articulate yourself and your views better when Grandpa brings up politics at Thanksgiving dinner, but it should also provide you with a better understanding of what YOU believe in.
Another piece of advice that is crucial in independent thought is questioning everything. Countless times, I have heard someone say, “Hey man, [insert politician] is bad; look at this TikTok,” to which they then proceed to show me a video of someone claiming that said politician eats babies with no evidence to back it up. Even if the statement is not as absurd as that, question said statements, even if you agree with them. Critical thinking is the key to independent thought, and questioning the legitimacy of where you get your news is crucial to developing an informed and educated opinion.
When engaging in independent thought, one final thing to consider is simply participating in political discourse. Open-mindedness reflects intelligence, and without strict political affiliations, you might find yourself surprisingly receptive to new ideas and opinions. There is a distinction between one’s political opinions and one’s voting actions. Your vote does not bind you to a politician’s exact beliefs. Discussing one’s individual opinion is equally as important as party preference. So when someone asks about your political views, it’s crucial to discern whether they seek your preference for a particular party or genuinely want to understand your individual convictions and values. Whether you register as Democratic, Republican or even Kanye West’s “Birthday Party,” when someone asks you, “what do YOU believe in?” don’t let the name of a political party be the first thing that leaves your lips.
SO TRUEEEEEEEEE!!!! Bro is spitting