Are you hurting your own cause with your less than tactful responses about political issues either online or in person?
You may find this shocking, but there are some people out there, recent college graduates, people with Ph.D's, and those of all ages that think our rights actually come from the government or cannot name the distinctly American principles that made her the most successful and liberating country the world has ever known.
Arguing with people that have never been exposed to such concepts about their own country is made even more difficult when emotion and ideology are in the way. These ideologies effect how people view everything they see in terms of politics and even history.
You must keep in mind that, in most cases, those that disagree with you feel just as strongly they are right as you think yourself to be. Convincing someone to change their mind, even on one issue, takes time. People need to be persuaded gently, not yelled at, or criticized for what they believe.
They obviously have reasons for believing the things they do, based off life experiences, their personality, and their environment, the same as you do.
Liberals alread have a leg up in the persusion game, especially when it comes to using emotion to influence people (which works very well). Their politics of care, of eliminating suffering at all costs is hard to combat with what the right calls a more realistic view of the world.
This means those on the right shouldn't be shooting themselves and their message about liberty in the collective foot by using poor persuasive tactics when they are already fighting an uphill battle.
Here are 5 tips that you should consider when trying to persuade or spread your message to others.
Keep in mind, they may have never heard your point of view, or your point of view presented well.
1.) Quit Swearing/Hurling Insults
In the midst of having a heated debate online, have you ever seen someone call another person a "fu**ing moron stupid idiot head" (etc.) and then have the receiver of the insult say, "Wow!. . . I didn't know I was being one of those, you're totally right, sorry for having an illogical take on this issue, I see the error of my ways, thank you."
Everything you post or say represents not only you personally, but everyone else who holds to the same position. Simply NOT resorting to name calling and acting like a third grader is a great place to start on the persuasion train.
2.) Use Humor
Humor is shown scientifically to a very useful tool for persuasion; It increase liking, and positivity, and most importantly sets the atmosphere for one's (defensive) guard to be let down making one more open to the reception of new ideas. If you're laughing, you are relaxed and will have a harder time hating the person.
Why are things like South Park, The Daily Show, Onion News, and even shows like John Oliver so popular? They are funny, they engage, and they lower one's guard to the ideas being presented. Even though these are not serious news, you would be surpirsed how they can subtly alter public opinion.
3.) Research What You Actually Believe
The credibility of a speaker is tarnished when it appears they do not actually even know what they believe, or have a hard time articulating it. When trying to persuade someone who has differing ideology, it doesn't hurt to explain your reasoning as if they do not know the basics of it. How incentives work in economics and how that relates to your view of human nature for example. Breaking it down isn't dumbing it down, it's usually more civil than condemnatory.
Read books and articles about political matters you care about, as well as ones that present the argument from the other side. If you deem the other side's arguments to be missing the boat, you will then be better able to present their side credibly to aid in civil debate. This can be effectively used in starting off a back and forth exchange that starts with something like this:
"I heed your points and (actually) concede that governmental intervention in this area seems credible. What do you think about this (time in history when it didn't work well), or have you considered another way to solve the problem that does't involve government as much? These numbers show that the government has been trying to solve the problem is this area for some time now, and the strategy I recommend has only ever been tried on a small scale, and worked well."
Instead of:
"Wow, everything you say isn't true, it will all never work because it just doesn't! You are such a dreamer. Why can't you be realistic about things for just once in your life and see how wrong you are?
4.) Be Optimistic and Don't Discourage
Everyone knows fear mongers are depressing to be around. From the basement conservatives thinking the government will kill them with a dart from a satellite if they go outside, to the environmentalists who think most humans are disgusting creatures and are hurting "their" planet. Being negative can probably win some people already in your tent over to your (further) side of the tent, but in terms of persuading those in the other tent, it isn't as effective.
Someone who doesn't believe global warming is happening and also thinks all human life is sacred isn't going to jump on the depopulation train (for the environments' sake) anytime soon.
People that are optimistic are easier to get behind, hope is one of the strongest things we humans possess.
The opposite of hopeis discouragment, those that bully others who do not believe EVERYTHING they believe aren't helping even their own side. Use the same persuasive approach you would trying to convince the opposing side of something as you would a "supposed" ally. Just because they are in your camp doesn't mean you can verbally abuse or berate them.
5.) Use Moral High Ground
The conservative Christian base needs to work on putting into practice the act of giving their political opponents some of the same compassion and understanding they give to members of their own denomination. Although people are unlikely to change their minds about religion, political issues can always be debated, especially moral issues like abortion. As the disciples of Christ turned the other cheek and listened to the hate spewed at them, so too must Christians when debating politics.
As soon as they can get a Christian to say he is going to, for example, "use his weapons in an act of violence" against someone (online), all stereotypes are cemented, and those on the sideline will not be impressed.
Use appeals to pathos when it comes to morality and mention universal ethics (Don't just cite The Bible, it won't work if someone doesn't believe in it), highlighting how important it is for a society to be moral in order to cooperate, trust, and live peacefully.
Pose questions about the morality behind government lumping people together in large groups and making laws for their benefit.
When it comes to economics, the cause for free and voluntary exchange is morally superior compared to government force, government corruption, and governments history of waste, inefficiency. History is chalked full of examples, use them.
Final words:
Conservatives and Libertarians need to come together and compromise if they want to defeat the far left in the next presidential election. Showing compassion and understanding to each other is a place to start. Showing patient understanding and tactful discourse when speaking to those in the middle, or on the other side, never hurt either. When the case for liberty is at stake in our country and the world, keeping your numbers strong and attracting new followers is of the utmost importance. Liberty is at stake.