Strict conservatism will win my team the next election......
How knowledgable are you regarding the "normal curve"?
It is a way of representing the "total population" of a specific group. Longitudinal research has validated the concept that the majority of any group lies within a spread of about 34.5% (the width of the first "standard deviation) to each side of the "mean"--this would be the broad average "centrist" philosophy that does not allign itself with either the liberal or conservative philosophy. If this concept is spread to political ideation, then it is safe to speculate that the TEA party lies outside not just the first standard (average) deviation, it most likely lies at the limits of the "normal" population, which is two standard deviations from the mean, at which point 95.5% of the sample population lies within the area of the curve. This would include the traditional "liberal" and "conservative" idealogies, leaving only about 2.25% to occupy the "WAAAY out there" population outside of of the "normal" liberals and conservatives...to represent the [my term here] "lunatic fringe" radical liberals and radical conservatives. I view the TEA party as a radical conservative faction, not sure what name the radical liberals would be called.
In other words, to believe that the TEA party represents the FAR RIGHT of the political spectrum, or only 1% of the voters, whichever "test group" you want to specify, it seems that your "Strict conservatism" really has little chance of prevailing.
In actuality, though, the TEA party does wield considerable influence over the Conservative population, so since I generally associate myself with the liberals on this forum, I'll be generous (something we can NEVER accuse the conservatives of being) and give you
yet another standard deviation...in statistical terms that is a HUGE concession, but let's assume your TEA party is totally successful and EVERY "conservative" voter votes with the TEA Party. Your "strict conservatism" vote then literally SWELLS to a huge 14% of the voting population. The remaining 86% is occupied by the liberals as well as the centrist "average" standardization to both sides of the strict "middle of the road".
Still a bit small, don't you think, to ensure world domination?
I respectfully propose that the party which most appeals to the broad "average" or "centrist" population will most likely prevail in the next elections. There will be winners and losers in both parties, let's hope that those who replace the losers get the idea that their loyalties lie with their constituents rather than their party's philosophies. The old saying "The needs of the many outweigh the greed of the few" applies here, doesn't matter whether you're greedy conservative or greedy liberal.
Jim, maybe it isn't the Conservatives' cognitive development that is the issue here, perhaps it is their contact with reality :thumbsup:
Cheers from Doug!