Politics Quote by Dennis Prager
“When you are guaranteed you will win, you can take very inflammatory, very extreme positions. If you have to run in a district where where you might lose, you will move to the center. That is the beauty of the two party system in America as opposed to the parliamentary system in Europe.”
About This Quote
When victory is assured, politicians can adopt extreme positions; competitive races force moderation, highlighting a structural difference between U.S. two‑party and European parliamentary systems.
In simple terms: Safe seats breed extremism; contested seats promote centrism.
Key Takeaway
Electoral competition tempers political extremes.
Themes
politics
electoral systems
moderation
party dynamics
Mood
analytical
critical
Type
political analysis
commentary
When to use this quote
- primary elections
- swing district campaigns
- parliamentary coalition negotiations
Key Concepts
strategic positioning
institutional design
Practical Applications
- redistricting reforms
- open primary adoption
Questions to Reflect On
- How does electoral safety affect policy innovation?
- What mechanisms can encourage moderation in safe seats?
A Different Perspective
Extremism can also arise in competitive districts due to polarized bases.
![“If they [liberals] didn't believe we were mean spirited they couldn't stay liberal. They have to believe they mean better than us, but we don't have to believe that we mean better than them. We have to believe that we do better than them. We measure morality by what happens not what is intended.” quote by Dennis Prager](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/95d/dennis-prager-631_believe_if-they-liberals-didn-t-believe-we-were_111894.jpg)
