COVID Response Will Create The Biggest Wave Of Conservatism The West Has Seen.
It’s almost here.
COVID Response Will Create The Biggest Wave Of Conservatism The West Has Seen.
It won’t be long until this bold statement is modest. All it will take is a little hindsight. We’re almost there. We are going to see a wave of conservatism the likes the West has never seen. The Red Tsunami will hit soon, but waves from the earthquake that was 2020-2024 COVID response will continue to roll across the nation for years to come. Here’s why.
Parasitic Stress Theory of Values
The parasitic stress theory of values predicts those who avoid infectious disease will seek to strengthen personal and national boundaries in an effort to do so. As mentioned in previous posts, boundaries are an axiom of conservatism. What happens when a generation of youth is programmed for pathogen avoidance? The degree in which personal and national boundaries will be valued will increase.
I want to discuss personality as it pertains to pathogen avoidance and boundaries. A feature of Liberalism is the pursuit to eradicate personal and national boundaries so resources and values can flow without friction. Those responsible for influence and narrative creating and advancement are as effective as they are romantic and virtuous. Openness is a personality component that predicts liberalism. Liberals have fallen in love with the romanticism and virtue that is “doing my part” and embracing COVID policies. This is because compliance to COVID policies looks and feels virtuous and righteous to the Liberal. However, centrists and independents will become repulsed by the authoritarianism that is advanced as a result. I believe we will see moderate Liberals and centrists rally to become a force that creates friction for rising authoritarianism being advanced by Leftists.
More on parasitic stress theory here.
Personality Shaping
Our personality determines political orientation. Our personality is shaped by genetics, nurture, and lived experience during adolescence.
Consider the nurturing and lived experience adolescents have encountered during the pandemic. They have functioned as chess pieces for teacher unions, politicians, and public health experts. They’ve been masked, glued to a chair and computer screen, and separated from interpersonal relations. I’ve thought a lot about how this will impact personality development. I can’t believe anyone would know for sure. But I expect youth who endure nurturing and lived experiences that revolve around subtraits of conscientiousness (responsibility, order, organization) will have higher levels of conscientiousness. Conscientiousness has a positive correlation with conservatism. In fact, it is it’s greatest predictor. I believe we are witnessing Liberal parents designing children who have personalities that are correlated with conservatism. Talk about unintended consequences.
I wrote about personality as a predictor to political orientation here.
Freedom
Americans love freedom. We will tolerate a limit to our freedom to some degree for some time if the conditions are right. A great force can only be stopped by an equal or greater force. Americans will allow a great force to limit their freedoms when it’s necessary, but Americans are approaching the point where they create a force greater than the one restricting our freedom.
We’re almost there. The greater force is brewing.
Soon.
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Riyan Virtanen
@riyanvirtanen on Twitter