Beyond Identity Politics: The Call for Policy, Competency, and Accomplishment in Electoral Decisions

In an age where identity politics often dominates the discourse, it's more important than ever to refocus our attention on the policies, competencies, and accomplishments of political candidates. Rather than focusing on superficial identifiers like religious affiliations, we need to delve into the actual skills, experience, and policy proposals of candidates. We must remember past instances, such as the election of Jimmy Carter, where religious affiliations overshadowed thorough policy examination.

Supporting and Opposing Evidence:

1. Logical Arguments

Supporting:

1. Political competency and policy orientation promise a more practical and beneficial governing approach than personal identity traits.
2. Skill and Capability: A candidate's competency and track record should be prioritized as it directly impacts their performance in office.
3. Comprehensive Evaluation: Considering various aspects like policy alignment, accomplishments, and electability provides a more holistic view of a candidate.
4. Minimizes Bias: Avoiding voting based on religious affiliation helps maintain objectivity in electoral decisions.
5. Principles over Personal Traits: The focus should be on a candidate's political beliefs and principles, rather than their personal religious practices.
6. The ability to effectively govern and make sound policy decisions isn't tied to religious practices. Therefore, other aspects such as policy, competency, and accomplishments should be the basis for electoral decisions.

Opposing:

1. Identity characteristics might reflect a candidate's values, informing their policymaking approach.
2. For some voters, a candidate's religious beliefs and practices are integral to their perceived moral compass and can signal alignment on key issues, and hence are valid considerations in electoral decisions.

2. Supporting Evidence

1. Supporting: Studies show that focusing on policy details leads to more informed voting decisions. (e.g., Lau and Redlawsk, 2006)
2. Opposing: Others suggest that identity politics can foster representation and inclusivity (e.g., Phillips, 1995)

3. Supporting Books

Supporting:

1. "The Rational Public" by Page and Shapiro
2. Identity Crisis: The 2016 Presidential Campaign and the Battle for the Meaning of America" by John Sides, Michael Tesler, and Lynn Vavreck

Opposing:

1. "The Politics of Identity" by Gitlin
2. American Grace: How Religion Divides and Unites Us" by Robert D. Putnam and David E. Campbell

Supporting:

1. Political competency and policy orientation promise a more practical and beneficial governing approach than personal identity traits.

Opposing:

1. Identity characteristics might reflect a candidate's values, informing their policymaking approach.

2. Evidence

Supporting:

1. Studies show that focusing on policy details leads to more informed voting decisions. (e.g., Lau and Redlawsk, 2006)

Opposing:

1. Others suggest that identity politics can foster representation and inclusivity (e.g., Phillips, 1995)

3. Books

Supporting:

1. "The Rational Public" by Page and Shapiro

Opposing:

1. "The Politics of Identity" by Gitlin

4. Videos

Supporting:

1. TED Talks like "The Irrationality of Politics" by Michael Huemer discuss the importance of rational decision-making in a democracy.

5. Organizations and their Websites

Supporting:

1. The League of Women Voters advocates for informed and active participation in government.

6. Podcasts

Supporting:

1. "The Weeds" by Vox Media provides an in-depth discussion of politics and policy.

7. Unbiased Experts

Supporting:

1. Scholars like John Sides argue for the importance of focusing on policy over identity.
2. Michael Tesler

Opposing:

1. Scholars who highlight the importance of religious identity in politics, like Robert D. Putnam and David E. Campbell

8. Benefits / Costs of Belief Acceptance (Ranked by Maslow Categories)

Benefits

1. Adopting this belief supports societal and cognitive needs for understanding, effectiveness, and fairness in democratic processes.
2. It would encourage more objective and comprehensive evaluations of political candidates, potentially leading to more competent governance.

Costs

1. For individuals who view religious practices as a vital aspect of a candidate's identity, this belief might make the electoral decision-making process more challenging.

9. Ethics that should be used to justify and oppose this belief

1. The ethics of responsibility and fairness support this belief, while the ethics of diversity and representation might oppose it.

a) Fundamental beliefs or principles one must reject to also reject this belief

1. The belief that competency and policy understanding are key qualities for successful leadership.
2. The principle of electing representatives based on their qualifications and ideas, rather than their identity traits.
3. Religious affiliation is an important criterion when choosing a candidate.
4. Identity politics can be beneficial in certain situations.

a) Fundamental beliefs or principles one must accept to also accept this belief

1. People often vote based on religious affiliation.
2. Identity politics can lead to biased electoral decisions.
3. A candidate's religious practices don't necessarily reflect their competency or suitability for office.

b) Alternate expressions of this belief (e.g., metatags, mottos, hashtags)

• #PolicyOverIdentity
• #CompetencyNotIdentity
• "Vote for policies, not personalities."
• #PolicyOverPiety
  #CompetenceBeforeCreed
  "Vote for policy, not piety."
  "Choose competency, not creed."

c) Criteria to demonstrate the strength or weakness of this belief

• The depth and breadth of a candidate's policy knowledge and proposals.
• Track record of accomplishments and competency in previous roles.
• The extent to which a candidate's support base is focused on policy issues versus identity affiliations.

d) Shared interests or values with potential dissenters that could promote dialogue and evidence-based understanding

• The belief in democratic processes and representative government.
• The value of ensuring that diverse voices are heard in politics.
• The shared goal of wanting competent leaders who can effectively address national challenges.

e) Key differences or obstacles between agreeing and disagreeing parties that need addressing for mutual understanding

• 1. Differing views on the importance and role of identity in representation and policy-making.
  2. Differing views on the importance of policy details versus broader ideological alignment.

f) Strategies for encouraging dialogue, respect, and using tools to gauge the evidence in this debate

• 1. Facilitate platforms for civil discourse and debate on this issue, both online and offline.
  2. Encourage critical thinking and fact-checking, and promote tools that facilitate these.
  3. Highlight the value of differing perspectives and the importance of mutual respect in these discussions.

g) To be considered educated on this topic, you must demonstrate comprehension of these key resources (books, articles, lectures, debates, etc.)

1. Books: "The Rational Public" by Page and Shapiro, "The Politics of Identity" by Gitlin.
2. Articles: "The Nature and Origins of Mass Opinion" by Zaller, "How Political Science Helps Explain the Rise of Trump: The Role of White Identity and Grievances" by Sides et al.
3. Lectures/Debates: TED Talk "The Irrationality of Politics" by Michael Huemer, any recent political debates focusing on policy versus personality.
4. Podcast: "The Weeds" by Vox Media

(Note: Understanding will be confirmed through our forum's tests).

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