In my opinion, one thing the Right offers that the left doesn't is an appeal to pride. It's natural to want to be part of something larger than yourself, and I think it's normal to want to feel...
In my opinion, one thing the Right offers that the left doesn't is an appeal to pride. It's natural to want to be part of something larger than yourself, and I think it's normal to want to feel proud of being a part of that something. While populists on both the left and right tell you we the people must rise up against the failures of the elite, it's only the Right that says that you shouldn't feel ashamed for being proud of your country. The right tells you that you're a part of the great history of your nation, that you as a citizen of your nation belong to something amazing.
Understandably, the left is wary of this sort of messaging. This sort of nationalism can lead to fascism, xenophobia, racism, and all sorts of nasty stuff, but ignoring these feelings just meant that someone else with less than noble intentions will exploit them instead. I think the left should embrace a bit of nationalism. Let the nation be a common ground for all peoples. Create a narrative where the nation is something inclusive, rather than something to separate us from the "others".
This, to me, is what gives the Right such a huge edge. Populists are 'in' right now. The people are anxious and they feel ignored. The Right offers us things like "better" in the UK, "getting ahead" in Canada or "greatness" in the United States. What does the left offer? "Forward", "Us", "Change". The People are uneasy about the future and are looking to people who can offer them peace of mind. They don't want change for the sake of change. They don't want to be included if what you're offering isn't better. They certainly won't be content with merely moving "forward".
Until the left catches on, the right will keep winning.
In my opinion, one thing the Right offers that the left doesn't is an appeal to pride. It's natural to want to be part of something larger than yourself, and I think it's normal to want to feel proud of being a part of that something. While populists on both the left and right tell you we the people must rise up against the failures of the elite, it's only the Right that says that you shouldn't feel ashamed for being proud of your country. The right tells you that you're a part of the great history of your nation, that you as a citizen of your nation belong to something amazing.
Understandably, the left is wary of this sort of messaging. This sort of nationalism can lead to fascism, xenophobia, racism, and all sorts of nasty stuff, but ignoring these feelings just meant that someone else with less than noble intentions will exploit them instead. I think the left should embrace a bit of nationalism. Let the nation be a common ground for all peoples. Create a narrative where the nation is something inclusive, rather than something to separate us from the "others".
This, to me, is what gives the Right such a huge edge. Populists are 'in' right now. The people are anxious and they feel ignored. The Right offers us things like "better" in the UK, "getting ahead" in Canada or "greatness" in the United States. What does the left offer? "Forward", "Us", "Change". The People are uneasy about the future and are looking to people who can offer them peace of mind. They don't want change for the sake of change. They don't want to be included if what you're offering isn't better. They certainly won't be content with merely moving "forward".
Until the left catches on, the right will keep winning.