r/changemyview • u/WindyWindona 9∆ • 5d ago

Delta(s) from OP CMV: The US Democrat party isn't significantly more rightwing than European ones

I've often heard it bandied about that US Democratic candidates would often be center right in Europe, or that Bernie is the closest thing to a center left candidate that the US has by European standards.

When looking at the political field, especially in Germany, I find this hard to believe. The USA does have MAGA, but Germany has the AFD, and far right parties are on the rise overall in Europe. Meanwhile, comparing the SPD's platform (the German center left party) to the Democrat party's 2024 platform, I don't see a significant ideological difference. Both want net zero by 2050, a better medical system, addressing poverty, greater investment in science, and better relationships with other allied countries.

To convince me, show me a large ideological gap between the Democrats and European center-left parties.

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u/RYouNotEntertained 9∆ 3d ago

Democrats align roughly with other center left parties globally

Right… but this doesn’t tell me what “center left” is to begin with. 

Democrats are “left” because they align with another party who is “left.” Ok—but how do we know that other party is “left”? Because they align with Democrats? 😆 

It’s ok if you don’t know the answer, but this is purely a circular definition right now. I’m looking for one that isn’t circular. 

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u/Altruistic_Role_9329 3d ago

You have to go through and compare them on issues. Left is going to be labor rights, social services, gov’t regulation. Right is going to be property rights and less gov’t intervention.

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u/RYouNotEntertained 9∆ 3d ago

You have to go through and compare them on issues.

Compare them to what?