Liberals say the country has moved to the right; conservatives say it’s moved to the left.
In a recent survey conducted by YouGov, a staggering 33,000 Americans were asked about their perceptions of political changes in the United States. The results were intriguing. A significant 30% of U. S. adults believe that the country’s politics have shifted towards the left over the past decade, while 26% feel that they have moved towards the right.
Interestingly, another 22% feel that U. S. politics have remained unchanged, and an additional 22% are uncertain about any discernible shifts. These findings shed light on the diverse range of perspectives held by Americans regarding political changes within their nation.
As political opinions continue to diverge in America, it is evident that liberals and conservatives have contrasting perspectives on the direction of politics.
A significant 44% of self-identified liberals believe that the country has shifted towards right-wing ideologies, whereas only 15% of conservatives share this viewpoint.
Interestingly, 55% of conservatives believe that the U. S. has leaned towards left-wing ideologies, while a mere 15% argue for a rightward shift.
And just like the diverse range of opinions in politics, people’s views on their own political changes also vary. While many Americans believe their political views have remained steady, liberals tend to express a shift toward becoming more liberal, while conservatives often report embracing a more conservative stance.
It is interesting to note that within the group of self-described “moderates,” a significant portion has experienced shifts in their political leanings over the last decade. A noteworthy 13% have moved towards the left, while another 16% have shifted towards the right.
It’s also worth mentioning that a majority of 57% have remained steadfast in their political beliefs during this period.
So, what’s the answer – Is the U.S. moving left or right?
Legislatively, there’s no real answer as cases for moving both right or left can be successfully made depending on the issues discussed, how much changes are weighed, and how those changes have been received and enforced by the public on the national, state, and local levels.
Conservative wins
In a major win for conservatives, the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade (1973) last year, which guaranteed a constitutional right to abortion. Some state constitutions, of course, independently protect abortion rights.
And in another win for conservatives, in a landmark decision last summer, the Supreme Court ruled to eliminate affirmative action in college admissions. This ruling emphasizes that race cannot be considered a factor in the admission process. However, it’s unclear what impact this ruling will have on the workforce.
Liberal wins
However, in a significant victory for Democrats, the Senate successfully passed a bill later that year that solidified legal protections for same-sex and interracial marriages. Also, we’ve seen the widespread legalization of marijuana on the state level in the past two years, which is a nod to the liberal agenda.
Lastly, the Black Lives Matter, #MeToo, and Woke Movements, although somewhat controversial, have garnered tremendous mainstream attention and reminded society of the importance of civil rights and equality. That, of course, is a win for liberals.
My view: Changing societal mores and public attitudes are just as important as the implementation of laws when measuring the growth of American conservatism and liberalism. And how the public chooses to interpret and enforce those laws are often as relevant as the laws themselves.
Here, the people rule.
– President Gerald Ford
