Economic libertarians and Christian evangelicals, united by their common enemy, are strange bedfellows in today's Republican party, just as the two Georges - the archconservative Wallace and the uberliberal McGovern - found themselves in the same Democratic Party in 1972.
Interpretation
The quote highlights the unusual alliances formed in political parties based on shared opposition rather than common beliefs.
Steven Pinker points out the paradox of political alliances, where economic libertarians and Christian evangelicals, despite their differing ideologies, come together in the Republican party due to a mutual opposition. This phenomenon mirrors the historical situation in 1972 when two ideologically opposed figures, George Wallace and George McGovern, were part of the same Democratic Party, illustrating how political dynamics can create unexpected coalitions.
In practice
This quote can be used to illustrate the complexities of modern political alliances during a political debate.
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The linguistic clumsiness of tourists and students might be the price we pay for the linguistic genius we displayed as babies, just as the decrepitude of age in the price we pay for the vigor of youth.
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The idea that children are passive repositories to be shaped by their parents has been massively overstated. A child's peer group is a far greater determinant of its development and achievements than parental aspiration.
Reason is non-negotiable. Try to argue against it, or to exclude it from some realm of knowledge, and you've already lost the argument, because you're using reason to make your case. ... We don't "believe" in reason.
When you start talking about elections being rigged, you're pushing people beyond democratic governance. And it's a very, very dangerous thing to do.
Old forms of government finally grow so oppressive that they must be thrown off even at the risk of reigns of terror.
My message to the people and rulers of Pakistan is, 'As neighbours, we want peace and friendship and cooperation with you so that together we can change the face of South Asia.'
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The power of the State must be invoked for restoring economic freedom just as it has been invoked for destroying economic freedom.
I want my son to grow up in a place where the people are more powerful than the government and not the other way around.
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