The hottest Political Beliefs Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top U.S. Politics Topics

From a former liberal lunatic

Disaffected Newsletter • 4296 implied HN points • 19 Sep 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Beliefs Cultural Change Psychology Identity politics Political polarization
  1. People can become deeply attached to their beliefs because of strong emotions rather than logic. Emotional experiences often shape our views more than facts do.
  2. A major life crisis can sometimes lead to a change in thinking. It might take hitting 'rock bottom' for someone to reevaluate and shift their perspectives.
  3. Understanding that some people's moral compass is deeply misaligned can help you see why they hold certain beliefs. They might genuinely think they are doing the right thing.

Believing in order to Belong

In My Tribe • 546 implied HN points • 23 May 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Beliefs Ideologies Social influence Cognitive dissonance Group dynamics
  1. We often choose our beliefs based on who we trust and want to belong to, rather than just the truth of those beliefs. Our need for acceptance can heavily influence what we believe.
  2. False beliefs can create a strong sense of identity within a group, making them appealing even if they're not true. It's easier to bond over unique beliefs that set us apart from others.
  3. Many political and social beliefs can't be easily proven or disproven, causing people to cling to their views to fit into their tribe. This makes discussions around these beliefs more about belonging than finding common ground.

It’s Rational And Humane To Lack Strong Political Beliefs

Singal-Minded • 724 implied HN points • 24 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Beliefs Social media Emotional Health Cultural critique
  1. It's okay to not have strong political beliefs. Beliefs can be complicated, and it's normal to feel uncertain about many issues.
  2. Getting too emotional about every news story can be unhealthy. It's better to approach complex situations with a level head instead of distress.
  3. Having a few things you care about deeply is more sustainable than feeling pressured to take a strong stand on everything. Focus on what really matters to you.

Trump Grand Jury Foreman is into 'Green Witchcraft' & Even CNN Admits She's a 'Prosecutor’s Nightmare'.

Raheem Kassam's Substack • 2535 implied HN points • 22 Feb 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Investigation Political Beliefs Religious freedom
  1. The grand jury foreman may have unconventional beliefs like 'Green Witchcraft'.
  2. Her appearance on media networks caused controversy over her behavior and hints about Trump's indictment.
  3. Questions are raised about her suitability for a grand jury role with significant political implications.

Bursting Bubbles

David Friedman’s Substack • 242 implied HN points • 19 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Political Beliefs Political parties Media influence
  1. People often react to uncomfortable truths or losses in different ways. Some might deny the truth, while others might try to explain it away.
  2. When their beliefs are challenged, individuals tend to adjust their views to fit new information while keeping some old beliefs intact.
  3. In extreme cases, people might refuse to accept objective truth and defend their beliefs as a way to maintain their group identity.
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The Phantom of Polarisation

Wrong Side of History • 208 implied HN points • 01 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Identity Polarization Public Opinion Political Beliefs
  1. People might not actually disagree on politics as much as they seem. It often feels more like a divide between groups than real differences in beliefs.
  2. Political identity can become more important than individual views. Once people identify strongly with a party, their specific opinions might not matter as much.
  3. Understanding tribalism helps explain why some conflicts are labeled as religious or political when they may really be more about group identity.

Reader mailbag: Bias in journalism, criminal justice in pop culture, and how my own politics have changed

The Watch • 578 implied HN points • 14 Feb 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Media bias Criminal Justice Political Beliefs Police Reform Civil Rights
  1. Bias in journalism can skew public perceptions, especially in crime shows like _The Forensic Files_ and _Cops_.
  2. Shows like _The Wire_ and _Homicide_ offer a more accurate portrayal of problems in law enforcement.
  3. Maintaining mental well-being is crucial when working in criminal defense, to avoid burnout in the field.

Links to Consider, 2/18

In My Tribe • 243 implied HN points • 18 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Misinformation Libertarianism Political Beliefs Elite Institutions
  1. Misinformation experts can be biased and self-serving when classifying content, leading to selective communication in modern democracies.
  2. The social consensus on freedom can be fragile, with liberties suddenly deemed 'Problematic' by media outlets.
  3. Political beliefs are often about tribal alignment rather than logical reasoning, making persuasion through reason challenging.

Why aren't you more conservative?

Disaffected Newsletter • 359 implied HN points • 03 Jun 22
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Beliefs Social Issues Abortion rights Cultural shift
  1. People often grow more conservative as they age, but some do not due to changes in their beliefs about the left's social issues. They feel abandoned by the left, but their ideas haven't shifted much.
  2. The author reflects on how their old beliefs about welfare and social issues changed after questioning the foundation of those ideas. They now see certain welfare policies as unhelpful rather than supportive.
  3. Shifts in views about topics like abortion and the gender wage gap indicate that some are reconsidering accepted narratives and how they match reality. It's important to stay open to changing one's beliefs based on new evidence.

American Hubris

Diane Francis • 379 implied HN points • 19 Aug 21
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Foreign Policy Military Strategy Political Beliefs Geopolitics International relations
  1. The U.S. learned from the Soviet Union's mistakes in Afghanistan, realizing that trying to change a country's culture and society through force leads to failure.
  2. America's methods of foreign intervention have damaged its credibility, making allies nervous and other nations skeptical of U.S. reliability in crises.
  3. Instead of military force, America should focus on diplomatic and economic strategies to build relationships and influence other countries, similar to China's approach with projects like the Belt and Road Initiative.

Elite? Or Ultra-Citified?

In My Tribe • 2 HN points • 21 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Polls Political Influence Political Beliefs
  1. A buzzy poll about elites actually surveyed a specific group that does not represent the entire elite population.
  2. The criteria used to define 'elite' in the poll may not be very strict, potentially leading to a misrepresentation of the group.
  3. The 'ultra-citified' cohort, while affluent and educated, tends to think and behave notably differently from the rest of the American population.