General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Are Republicans a different species than the rest of us? [View all]Caliman73
(11,690 posts)Conservatives tend to see the world through the lens of authority and order, while liberals tend to see the world through the lens of curiosity and individual expression.
There is significant overlap.
Though there are differences as another poster stated, which may even be expressed biologically but they are still traits that are present in all people, just more typically expressed in people with certain belief structures.
I don't think that Republicans/Conservatives thrive on hatred and greed. I think that, as I said, they see the world through authority and order, which can manifest itself in wanting the world to be ordered in a certain way that they are used to and for authority to have a continuity.
They are more susceptible to see outsiders with fear. Anger and Hatred are some of the expressions of fear. Thus they are more likely to be manipulated into hating people who are not like them and who make them afraid.
It is difficult not to put judgement into those distinctions, but for the sake of understanding and possibly reaching out, we need to know the difference in a non-judgmental context.
I am as dismayed about the differences as you are. I am also dismayed that some people eat brains and liver of other animals and like them but we are still the same species.
Also remember that people are capable of great beauty and kindness but also great cruelty, the circumstances and motivations are important. Hitler was able to convince some portion of the German population to systematically kill other people. So did Stalin, Mao, Pol Pot, The Ottomans in WW1, The pioneers and conquistadors also had few qualms about the destruction wrought on native populations.
We need to find a way to short circuit the fear.