[EM] Median Voter Theorem and the 50-50 Nation

[Dr. Ernie Prabhakar]

Hi Alex,

Well, since you've opened the can of worms, I may as well go fishing...

On Jul 30, 2004, at 3:07 PM, Alex Small wrote:
> I have no illusion that from now until the end of eternity political
> battles will always be battles over an ever-shrinking undecided
> percentage.  No doubt there will be ups and downs and realignments.  
> But
> technology might enable the parties to at least prolong the periods of 
> close divide.
>
> Any thoughts on this?

I actually think that the primary issue is social, though it is heavily 
influenced by technology.   That is, I think you are right that each 
party has found a sort of social equilibria -- adapting its core 
principles just enough to stay ahead (or at least even) with the other. 
   However, the root of the split is, at the end of the day, the 
polarized ideologies of conservatism and liberalism that anchor the 
"hard-core" base of each party, and drives politics at the local level. 
  As long as both parties carry those boat anchors, I don't think either 
will be able to overtake the other/reach out to the disenfranchised 
middle.

That's why my personal belief is that we need what I call philosophical 
reform, coupled with electoral reform, in order to truly heal partisan 
politics.  I do think the sort of voter-oriented, objectively measured 
discussions we have here are an important part of the process, but I 
have my doubts about their ability to solve the larger political issues 
on their own...

-- Ernie P.
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Ernest N. Prabhakar, Ph.D. <DrErnie at RadicalCentrism.org>
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