Why Intolerance pays off in American Politics
Strangely, these groups succeed because their intolerance makes them easier to cooperate with.
Intolerant groups take definite stands on specific issues. The Religious Right refuses to compromise on abortion, for example. However, there are many issues the Religious Right has no real interest in such as economic policy.
Therefore, it is easy to compromise with the Religious Right as long as you long as you agree with its stand on abortion. President Donald J. Trump (R-New York) won the Religious Right’s support for his economic agenda by adopting the Religious Right’s radical opposition to abortion.
Intolerant groups have the advantage of consistency. Would-be allies do not have to worry about the intolerant suddenly changing a policy or switching sides. Trump will receive Religious Right backing as long as he sides with it on abortion.
On the left, politicians like Representative Nancy Pelosi (D-California) know they can count on the women’s movement as long as they agree with it on abortion. Likewise, politically correct leftists are dependable allies for “moderate Democrats” willing to compromise on economic issues.
The intolerant succeed in American politics because they are dependable allies. Moderates make lousy allies because they are always open to shifting alliances.