If/when depolarization happens, what will it look like?

[GeorgeBFree]

Polarization will end under one of three conditions:

1) Economic fortunes of millennials and Gen Z improve enough that they grow more satisfied with the status quo. Economic weakness and distribution of the “winnings” into smaller hands (mostly tech sector and older generations who bought assets pre-Fed stimulus era). If economic situation wasn’t as precarious for bottom 80%, people would care less about politics and focus on other social activities/groups.

2) Inflation and higher interest rates equalize wealth distribution upon the age and class curve in a fashion similar to what happened in the 1970’s. This would also wipe out debts in real terms. 1970’s was painful but it set foundation for more stable politics in 1980s-2008. This run of stagflation will get ugly too, but not violent.

3) One side wins enough power (either electorally or violently) to monopolize levers of power and arrest the leaders of opposition and silence the rest. The result will be years of “harmonization” through totalitarian brute force and censorship. China is the least politically polarized country in the world, and that is not because they have a healthy democracy.

[GeorgeBFree]

I’ve seen this chart before, but why don’t you see someone with Rick Santorum’s social views and Bernie’s economics in real life or run for office? Fiscally left/socially right may be the future winning ticket. Populist parties in Europe are trending this way already.