Morning Thread: Why Don't Liberals Take Conservatives Seriously?

Fascinating essay in Sunday’s Washington Post by Gerard Alexander, an associate professor of politics at the University of Virgina: “Why Are Liberals So Condescending?”

Every political community includes some members who insist that their side has all the answers and that their adversaries are idiots. But American liberals, to a degree far surpassing conservatives, appear committed to the proposition that their views are correct, self-evident, and based on fact and reason, while conservative positions are not just wrong but illegitimate, ideological and unworthy of serious consideration.

This condescension is part of a liberal tradition that for generations has impoverished American debates over the economy, society and the functions of government — and threatens to do so again today, when dialogue would be more valuable than ever.

Be sure to read the whole thing (don’t miss the comments, either) and then let’s have your thoughts.