| I still think we are talking past each other. My main point was supporting the validity of the relatively static republican position in the PEW data you introduced and later defended. https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/interactives/political-... I see your claim that all political parties seek change, and agree with it. Political parties are inherently a mechanism for enacting change (or denying it) My claims, formulated more specifically are as follows: 1) I think the trend in the figure you presented with a smaller shift in median republican views shift less than median democrat views from 1994-2017 is realistic. I think you agree. 2) I think the slower shift in mean republican views is because individual republicans are slower to change their social views. 2A) I think republicans are slower to change their views because. This is associated with respect for "authority" "traditionalism" in the framework of moral foundations theory [1] 2A1) I think there are real differences in the average moral values of republicans and democrats. Neither group is homogeneous, but on average, individuals gravitate towards one party or another based on the moral framework they view the world through. I agree this is a two way feedback, were party affiliation and media consumption can also shift ones moral framework. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moral_foundations_theory |