Are "extreme" right wing people less intelligent ?

[mapuc]

This question have filled my mind now and then

When I read some of my friends response on FB I get the feeling that..they perhaps are missing a screw or two..I respect their standpoint its just like they hadn't been listening in school or so.

Let me give an example

Some one posted a picture of a Palestine Wedding where you could see a line of fine dressed men on the left side and little girls on the right side. The girls had also fine clothes on and was wearing flowers

You can guess the response to that picture.

I and some others tried to explain that it was a tradition in Palestine..the little girls lead the men into the mosque and give him to his coming wife.

There are many more situation that makes me wonder if these "extreme" right wings are less intelligent...


Markus

[vienna]

People on the "extreme" ends of the political spectrum, left or right, are given to the same malady of being "true believers" much like religious fundamentalists. They cling to a blind faith in the utterances of their "leaders" and shun anything which comes even close to disputing their beliefs. Logic, factuality, or common sense are anathema to them if it threatens to shatter their bubble of self-righteousness. Extremism is the ultimate surrender of free will, independent thought, and considered rationality to a dogma, particularly when applied to politics. What I often find amusing is the staunch stance of "personal freedom" taken by those of the extreme right or left who have given over all of theirs to a blind acceptance of "our way is the right way". The perception of irony is seemingly lost on them...


<O>

[CCIP]

I think every kind of "extreme" is less intelligent, myself. Once you start "drinking the cool aid", so to speak, intelligence tends to go out the window and get replaced by programmatic reflexes.

[Betonov]

Left, right, same retards.

But I have a feeling that the right is more loud when it comes to idiocy. But then again, the left can be as equally pretentious

[mapuc]

The reason to why I used the word right wing is because these friends I had in mind is more or less on the right side of the political line.

You are right it's not just those right wing people that lack intelligent

Markus

[Stealhead]

Honestly I think at least with some people politics is like a religion to them and as a result they really get into it whatever party line they follow. I suppose in away it gives people a feeling of being a part of something. Of course at the same time I think there are people that spout lots of hoopla but then they don't vote or anything.

Honestly I think that most people but not all are opportunists and if some ultra right wing or ultra left party took over they'd be licking the powers that be boots finding any way to advance themselves. Just look at most of the major revolutions in history and you'll see plenty of opportunists.

[CCIP]

Here's what I consider a litmus test for intelligence as regards beliefs and convictions: notice the repeating words and phrases people rely on when making their arguments on something they're angry or upset about. Then ask them to explain what it is what they're upset about, WITHOUT using those words at all. Intelligent people will be able to explain it in plain language and still make sense. Those with extreme beliefs will either make no sense, or get really angry at you, or both.

[GoldenRivet]

Extremists, regardless of the left or right orientation of their extremism are of limited intelligence.

[corporalspiffy]

anyone who has firm convictions is an extremist and therefor of lesser intelligence. the truly intelligent are spineless wishy washy flag pole rags that fly which ever way the wind happens to blow sort of like a u-boat that has lost its rudder.

[CCIP]

Originally Posted by corporalspiffy

anyone who has firm convictions is an extremist and therefor of lesser intelligence. the truly intelligent are spineless wishy washy flag pole rags that fly which ever way the wind happens to blow sort of like a u-boat that has lost its rudder.

That's a little ironic, because it's usually the people who get called extremist that follow whichever direction their leaders or ideologies tell them to go to, without considering the consequences. While not necessarily an example of extremism as such - U-boats, rudders and all, may be a perfect example of where that leads, being technically-obsolete murder-suicide machines that sailed for the benefit of an unwinnable war being waged by a xenophobic dictator. With conviction, to be sure.

As for the note on private beliefs: that's not a problem until one realizes that in a representative democracy, people who are promoting extremist and antihumanitarian views are, in effect, doing very real political work - so I don't think it's wrong to call them out on it or be offended. The moment they enter the public sphere, those views are already an indirect threat to someone.

[em2nought]

Originally Posted by mapuc

There are many more situation that makes me wonder if these "extreme" right wings are less intelligent...

Markus

...maybe the extreme fiscal right is "more" intelligent.