Do you ever feel like everyone on social media has a more extreme viewpoint than your own? We often blame social media companies for the echo chambers they create, but the truth is, political polarization has been on the rise in America for decades. The two major parties have become increasingly divided, leaving little room for those who fall in the middle of the political spectrum. However, despite the loud voices of the far left and far right, moderate political views still exist and are held by a significant portion of the American population.
According to a study conducted by political scientist Anthony Fowler, most Americans' political views fall between the opinions expressed by the most liberal and conservative members of Congress. This suggests that the vast majority of Americans are not as polarized as we might think. In fact, Americans' ideological views didn't change much between 2016 and 2022, but liberal identification among Democrats hit a new high at 54%.
Moderate political views are not always easy to define, as they vary depending on the individual. However, some common characteristics of moderates include a willingness to compromise, a belief in the importance of pragmatism over ideology, and a desire for policies that benefit the greater good rather than just one particular group. Moderates also tend to be more open-minded and less dogmatic than those on the extreme ends of the political spectrum.
Despite their importance to the political landscape, moderates have lately been out of fashion in American politics. On the right, conservative Republicans scorn their party's moderate wing as "RINOs" (Republicans in Name Only), while on the left, progressives often view moderates as spineless and lacking in conviction. However, this kind of thinking ignores the vital role that moderate political views play in shaping policy outcomes that benefit all Americans.
Are Americans really as politically polarized as they seem – and everybody says? It's definitely true that Democrats and Republicans hold very different views on a wide range of issues, from healthcare to immigration to gun laws. However, as social scientists Christopher Garneau and Philip Schwadel have found, political identities are not always as rigid as we might think. In fact, many Americans hold a mix of conservative and liberal views, and their political beliefs can shift depending on the issue at hand.
Cable news and social media often portray US politics as beset by partisanship and political polarization. But do most Americans take such hardline positions? According to a Pew Research Center survey, only about 10% of Americans hold consistently liberal or conservative views across a range of political issues. The vast majority of Americans fall somewhere in between, holding a mix of conservative and liberal views depending on the issue at hand.
So what issues do moderates care about? It varies, of course, but some common themes emerge. Moderates tend to support gun control measures that balance public safety with Second Amendment rights. They believe in a strong national defense, but also in diplomacy and international cooperation to avoid unnecessary conflicts. Moderates are often more supportive of immigration reform than their more conservative counterparts, recognizing the contributions that immigrants make to American society.
Of course, not all moderates agree on these issues. U.S. Hispanics, for example, often have policy views that differ from those of non-Latinos in the same party. Recent surveys have found that while most Hispanic Democrats support a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants, they are also more likely than non-Hispanic Democrats to support a stronger border and increased deportations of those who are here illegally.
It's important to remember that moderate political views are not a monolith. They represent a diverse range of opinions and beliefs, and should not be dismissed as wishy-washy or indecisive. Instead, we should recognize the important role that moderate voices play in shaping policy outcomes that benefit all Americans, not just those on one side or the other of the political spectrum.
