Label X

[B]By MAR-VIC CAGURANGAN[/B] [I]Special to the Saipan Tribune[/I]

If studies are to be trusted—or taken seriously, for that matter—one’s place in the political spectrum has something to do with one’s intelligence and beauty. People with right wing opinions tend to be less intelligent than those with views toward the left, according to a UK study, which concluded that low childhood intelligence can lead to racist attitudes and homophobia. Right-wing politics, according to the behavioral scholars, serve as a “gateway” into prejudice against others. The research holds that people with low IQ are drawn toward the right because conservative views make them feel safe. If this was the case, then those accused of so-called “hate crimes” may use neurocognitive foundation as defense (Your honor, the accused is inherently stupid and incapable of making moral judgment.).

A separate study conducted by Swedish and Finnish economists claimed that right wing candidates are better looking than their left wing counterparts. “One possible explanation is that people who are seen or consider themselves beautiful tend to be more anti-egalitarian and right wing,” according to Niclas Berggren, one of the three co-authors of the study. The study said that globally, “the left perhaps traditionally has used a more rational approach,” while “the right has been more conscious of the importance of looks” and “the voters reward them for it.”

Berggen mentioned Ronald Reagan and Sarah Palin as classic examples of beautiful right-wingers. (Hmmm, did he overlook the hot Democrats such as Bill Clinton, Al Gore, and George Clooney? But this is beside the point and my taste has nothing to do with my political philosophy.)

So, if people’s affiliation with a political spectrum corresponds to the level of their IQ and physical attributes, it follows that the centrists—being in the middle of the continuum—are average thinkers and average looking? Of course, this presumption is as fallacious as the two studies seem to be.

Both studies seem to render an unfair indictment of the self-proclaimed right-wingers and represent unjustified exoneration of the education system for its purported failure. The neuroscience theory on political views may further reduce crucial debates on social and economic issues to the tyranny of extremism and the frivolity of name-calling.

Conservatism and the liberalism are the two major political labels that represent the opposite poles on the political spectrum. But each spectrum is fragmented into different mini-factions that correspond to more labels. The socially right holds that the government should interfere with social lives of citizens, in contrast with the socially left, which bucks government interference. The economic right holds that the government should not interfere in the economy, in contrast with the economic left that endorses a tax-and-spend government.

These artificial labels mostly appeal to the intellectually lazy, who pick one prepackaged set of beliefs instead of thinking for themselves. They shut off any ideas outside of the box. When leaders choose this route, the citizens are held hostage. Last year’s debate on the debt ceiling in Washington, for example, paralyzed the budget process for months because neither the Republicans not the Democrats would budge an inch.

A strict alignment with a specific political spectrum—which attempts to simplify issues that otherwise need judicious discussions—creates fanaticism that limits our ability to make a more astute judgment.

Local politics is a different story though. In Guam, which has its own adaptation of the nation’s two-party system, loyalty to a party is usually influenced by family traditions and who gives more government jobs rather than ideology.

Generally, the label tactic to reinforce identity politics has been part the history of world politics. But in the end, it’s up to the citizens to escape political hostage by educating themselves and thinking independently.

We can make non-hysterical judgment outside of labels and choose candidates with sensible minds—regardless of their looks. But then again, if neuroscience is accurate, then humankind is doomed.

[I]Mar-Vic Cagurangan is a Guam-based journalist. She is the former managing editor of Glimpses Publications and is now a full-time domestic goddess. Send feedback to mar_vic_cagurangan@yahoo.com.[/I]