That’s an interesting counter-view, and I’d love to hear more about what you’re seeing.
I’m mainly looking at who’s being welcomed or pushed out of each coalition. The GOP has absorbed people with openly bigoted worldviews that once would’ve been disqualifying, while Democrats have struggled to make space for moderates whose convictions don’t align perfectly with the platform.
If we want a healthier politics, both parties will need to relearn how to hold tension — to make space for disagreement without sliding into either extremism or exclusion.
I suppose one could look at the GOP as "big tent" in that it is accepting of philosophies that used to be fringe.
My take is that the Democratic party is "big tent" because it accepts, not just about all points of view, it accepts anyone regardless of race, creed, ethnicity, etc.
Now, the one thing the Democratic party cannot (and should never) accept under its tent is intolerant points of view, and rightly so. You can't be tolerant and intolerant at the same time. Allowing philosophies of intolerance into that tent would make it a joke, a living contradiction.
I like to ask Republican/MAGA acquaintances why white supremacists are so comfortable in the Republican party. And, more recently, I ask why they would want to be part of an organization that is actively (not theoretically or philosophically) snatching people off the street and jailing them without due process simply for having an accent or having dark skin.
I don't consider it a big tent if they are actively engaging in activities that seek the subjugation of other people based on race or ethnicity. By definition, that is exclusionary.
I mean, one could say they are accepting of and support a number of non-mainstream ideas. But the fact that I can't (won't) even name these ideas out loud says something.
As for the Democratic party, I haven't seen them push anyone out except for being bigoted or corrupt. They are not perfect, no one is, but they are will to let me into their tent without making me feel like my life is in danger.
You need to explain 5. It's the opposite.
That’s an interesting counter-view, and I’d love to hear more about what you’re seeing.
I’m mainly looking at who’s being welcomed or pushed out of each coalition. The GOP has absorbed people with openly bigoted worldviews that once would’ve been disqualifying, while Democrats have struggled to make space for moderates whose convictions don’t align perfectly with the platform.
If we want a healthier politics, both parties will need to relearn how to hold tension — to make space for disagreement without sliding into either extremism or exclusion.
I suppose one could look at the GOP as "big tent" in that it is accepting of philosophies that used to be fringe.
My take is that the Democratic party is "big tent" because it accepts, not just about all points of view, it accepts anyone regardless of race, creed, ethnicity, etc.
Now, the one thing the Democratic party cannot (and should never) accept under its tent is intolerant points of view, and rightly so. You can't be tolerant and intolerant at the same time. Allowing philosophies of intolerance into that tent would make it a joke, a living contradiction.
I like to ask Republican/MAGA acquaintances why white supremacists are so comfortable in the Republican party. And, more recently, I ask why they would want to be part of an organization that is actively (not theoretically or philosophically) snatching people off the street and jailing them without due process simply for having an accent or having dark skin.
I don't consider it a big tent if they are actively engaging in activities that seek the subjugation of other people based on race or ethnicity. By definition, that is exclusionary.
I mean, one could say they are accepting of and support a number of non-mainstream ideas. But the fact that I can't (won't) even name these ideas out loud says something.
As for the Democratic party, I haven't seen them push anyone out except for being bigoted or corrupt. They are not perfect, no one is, but they are will to let me into their tent without making me feel like my life is in danger.