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Aisle Quote by Jonah Goldberg

“The mainstream perception that conservatives are close-minded and dogmatic while liberals are open-minded and free-thinking has it almost exactly backward. Liberal dogma is settled: The government should do good, where it can, whenever it can. That is President Obama's idea of pragmatism and…” quote by Jonah Goldberg
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“The mainstream perception that conservatives are close-minded and dogmatic while liberals are open-minded and free-thinking has it almost exactly backward. Liberal dogma is settled: The government should do good, where it can, whenever it can. That is President Obama's idea of pragmatism and bipartisanship: He's open to all ideas, from either side of the aisle, about how best to expand government and get the state more involved in our lives.”

Jonah Goldberg

About This Quote

Source Essay: The Conservative Mind, 2020

The claim that conservatives are closed-minded and liberals open-minded is reversed; liberalism often demands expansive government intervention.

In simple terms: Liberalism can be dogmatic about government roles.

Key Takeaway

Question assumptions about political openness.

Themes

politics ideology bias government

Mood

critical analytical

Type

political satirical

When to use this quote

  • public discourse
  • policy analysis
  • media commentary

Key Concepts

dogmatism liberalism conservatism policy debate

Questions to Reflect On

  • What evidence challenges the stereotype of liberal openness?
  • How do policy goals shape perceived openness?
A Different Perspective

Overgeneralizing both sides can oversimplify complex views.

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