“In most of the countries, politics is what changes around you, while you stay the same”, my beloved father Abbas, may he rest in peace, used repeat every election period in Morocco. I very often taught about it overtime I had to run for election. Later I realised that my father’s phrase carries a deep and multifaceted meaning. Let’s explore a few key ideas behind this statement:
- The Transient Nature of Politics: This phrase suggests that political landscapes are constantly evolving. Governments, policies, and leaders change regularly, either through democratic elections, shifts in public opinion, or other means. This flux is a natural part of how societies operate.
- The Relative Stability of Individual Lives: In contrast to the ever-changing political scene, individual lives often remain relatively stable. People’s daily routines, personal values, and immediate concerns might not shift as dramatically or as frequently as the political climate. This stability can be a source of comfort or frustration, depending on how political changes align with individual values and circumstances.
- The Disconnection Between Politics and Daily Life: The statement may also reflect a sense of disconnection or disillusionment with politics. It implies that despite significant changes in the political arena, these alterations might not have a direct or immediate impact on the average person’s daily life. This can lead to a sense of apathy or detachment from political processes.
- The Challenge of Effecting Change: There’s an implicit suggestion that influencing political change can be challenging for the average individual. This can be due to various factors like bureaucratic inertia, the power of entrenched interests, or simply the complexity of political systems. It highlights the difficulty of translating personal or communal desires into policy.
- The Importance of Individual Consistency: On a more positive note, this phrase can also be interpreted as highlighting the importance of maintaining personal integrity and values despite external changes. It suggests that while the world around us may change, staying true to oneself and one’s principles is crucial.
- The Need for Adaptation: Finally, while individuals might remain constant in their core values, there’s an implicit call for adaptation. The ability to navigate and respond to changing political landscapes is a vital skill, ensuring personal and communal well-being amidst the fluctuations of the political world.
In summary, my father’s phrase eloquently captures the dynamic between the shifting sands of politics and the more constant nature of individual lives, highlighting the complexity of the relationship between the individual and the political world.
Anyway, in my humble experience as a politician, political opinions are integral to our identity, often resistant to change or external influence. However, recent research suggests our political views may be more malleable than we think.
The study, utilizing ‘choice blindness,’ a concept identified in 2005, demonstrated that people could be convinced to adopt political opinions opposite to their original beliefs. In the experiment, participants were falsely led to believe they had chosen a stance on a political issue (like climate taxes). When asked to rationalize this falsely attributed stance, many justified it, shifting their views toward this new position.
This shift in opinion was attributed to the absence of defensive motives, which typically arise during direct confrontations. When individuals are not on the defensive, they are more open to considering alternative viewpoints.
The experiment’s implications are significant for understanding political polarization. It suggests that if we recognize the flexibility of our political attitudes, we might approach political discussions with more openness and humility, potentially easing current tensions and conflicts.
In essence, this research highlights the potential for change in our political beliefs, emphasizing the value of keeping an open mind in political discourse.
