The Theory
The theory that explains why the right must take back opinion formation – for the sake of democracy, right-wing politics, and the West.
The theory that explains why the right must take back opinion formation – for the sake of democracy, right-wing politics, and the West.
Ideal democracy, or democracy of the highest quality, is when all individuals can compete fairly for formal political power positions—such as prime minister, member of parliament, etc.—in order to use those positions to realize their ideals and meet their needs.
If those who, through their professions, for example, in media, education, culture, unions, and social media, influence the public's political opinions lean more to the left than the general population's views, left-wing politicians receive an unfair advantage in winning formal political power positions to realize their ideals. Ideal democracy therefore requires an equal number of right-wing individuals (note that racism or xenophobia is neither more right-wing nor left-wing) and left-wing individuals in professions that shape public political opinions.
An important point is that no one should be prohibited from influencing public political opinions—for example, by working as a journalist—even if the goal is to improve the quality of democracy. Some ways to enhance democratic quality rely on right-wing individuals seeking out such professions to a greater extent. Other approaches could involve politicians shutting down or reforming state institutions that undermine democratic quality.
A key premise is that right-wing individuals have equal value to left-wing individuals. This means that right-wing people's opportunities to win formal political positions in order to realize their ideals and satisfy their needs are just as important as those of left-wing people.
When right-wing individuals cannot compete fairly for formal political power to realize their ideals, they have less chance than left-wing individuals to use politics for that purpose. This is equivalent to political power (for realizing one's ideals and needs) not being equally distributed. Yet one of democracy's core principles is the equal distribution of political power, expressed in the "one person, one vote" rule in elections.
Holding political power without the mandate to realize one's ideals and needs (beyond drawing a salary) is a hollow victory. Political power should not be solely about earning a paycheck and gaining material benefits. There needs to be an element of idealism and the opportunity to satisfy deeper personal needs.
In many countries, like in the USA and Sweden, there are more left-wing than right-wing individuals in professions that influence public political opinions. Those countries' democracies would therefore move closer to the ideal if more right-wing individuals entered such professions.
Ensuring that right-wing people have the same opportunities to use politics to realize their ideals and needs (beyond just earning a salary) is a matter of "personal autonomy."
These ideas connect to political theory. Joseph Schumpeter defines democracy based on those who compete for formal political power rather than on those who vote in general elections (book Capitalism, Socialism and Democracy, Chapter 22; "Another Theory of Democracy"). He also argues that democracy emerges when there is a certain degree of competition among politicians, and that the more competition there is, the better the democracy (Capitalism, Socialism and Democracy, Chapter 22 – "Another Theory of Democracy", Section IV – "Competition for Political Leadership", point 4).
If more right-wing individuals enter professions that influence public political opinions, the population will shift further to the right while democracy simultaneously becomes more ideal.
If the left is more culturally self-destructive than the right, it is in the interest of Western civilization's health to improve democracy in the West according to the ideas outlined here, as this would result in a more right-leaning population.
If you are young and share right-wing values, seriously consider choosing a profession where you can influence public political opinions. This could include journalism, podcasting, YouTube, teaching, advertising, politics, or social media.
Through your career choice, you can simultaneously improve democracy, contribute to a more right-wing society, and strengthen the health of Western civilization. It is a way to combine personal autonomy, idealism, and real impact.