… Although both Democrats and Republicans are more ideologically consistent and committed than they were 40 years ago, Republicans are far more so than Democrats. The overwhelming majority are conservative not only in name but all the way down. This means identifying with one’s party’s political outlook, knowing how the main parties’ ideological positions relate, and being attached to one’s party’s ideological and policy concerns. Thanks to that greater consistency and commitment, Republicans can resist pressure to move society in a more liberal direction.
The result: though the Republican Party is the smaller party, it can punch above its weight. CONT.
Yphtach Lelkes (Penn) & Paul M. Sniderman (Hoover Institution), The Monkey Cage