This is an interesting theory and the two-party system may exacerbate the problem. Great Britain, however, has essentially a two party system (Clegg’s relatively new, barely relevant, ideologically indistinct party doesn’t really count) and they seem to have about the same level of rationality in their politics as most of multi-party Europe. As others suggested, I suspect the difference has much more to do with the United States cultural, economic and racial diversity than anything else. America is a single tribe to a far lesser extent than other countries- even our white majority, which is smaller than it is in most of Europe consists of four genetically and culturally distinct traditions (and that isn’t including Hispanic). This kind of diversity means that we have less in common to start from and have resolved fewer basic issues. We’ve never gotten around to European style social welfare for much the same reason- that kind of altruism isn’t supported for those outside of the tribe. We’re also large enough and wealthy enough to support more fractured news media environment- which lets people insulate themselves from opposing view points.
This does suggest that discussion of politics could be more successful on Less Wrong (given how much we all have in common) but having to work over the internet involves other difficulties.
I would be interested to see, however, whether the differing political climates influence the way people talk about politics. We could select some posters from Northern Europe and some posters from America. Have them discuss a series of emotional and controversial political issues. Have another group evaluate their comments (with the anti-kibitzer on) and grade them by degree of motivated cognition and mind-killing rhetoric. See if the Europeans do better.
This is an interesting theory and the two-party system may exacerbate the problem. Great Britain, however, has essentially a two party system (Clegg’s relatively new, barely relevant, ideologically indistinct party doesn’t really count) and they seem to have about the same level of rationality in their politics as most of multi-party Europe. As others suggested, I suspect the difference has much more to do with the United States cultural, economic and racial diversity than anything else. America is a single tribe to a far lesser extent than other countries- even our white majority, which is smaller than it is in most of Europe consists of four genetically and culturally distinct traditions (and that isn’t including Hispanic). This kind of diversity means that we have less in common to start from and have resolved fewer basic issues. We’ve never gotten around to European style social welfare for much the same reason- that kind of altruism isn’t supported for those outside of the tribe. We’re also large enough and wealthy enough to support more fractured news media environment- which lets people insulate themselves from opposing view points.
This does suggest that discussion of politics could be more successful on Less Wrong (given how much we all have in common) but having to work over the internet involves other difficulties.
I would be interested to see, however, whether the differing political climates influence the way people talk about politics. We could select some posters from Northern Europe and some posters from America. Have them discuss a series of emotional and controversial political issues. Have another group evaluate their comments (with the anti-kibitzer on) and grade them by degree of motivated cognition and mind-killing rhetoric. See if the Europeans do better.