The One Political Trait That Matters More Than Left or Right

Political debates often focus on left vs right or libertarian vs authoritarian. But the author thinks the real divide is between people who are certain they're right and those who accept they might be wrong. This certainty dimension cuts across traditional labels and explains why even people with similar views can become bitter enemies.

Certainty is separate from what you believe. Two people with opposite opinions can get along if they're open to discussion, while two people with nearly identical beliefs can fight viciously if both are convinced they're infallible. The author ran a debate club where liberals and conservatives bonded over humility and a willingness to test ideas.

Both liberalism and conservatism actually embrace uncertainty: liberalism says try new things, conservatism says change carefully. They're compatible. The author dislikes terms like 'moderate' because they imply the truth is always in the middle. Instead, we need a label for people who are confident in their values but humble about their solutions.

Without such a label, it's hard to build a coalition. The takeaway: promoting uncertainty and humility in politics could reduce polarization and lead to better decisions.