Are Republicans inherently selfish?

[u/SignificantCrow]

Not referring to every individual obviously but as a whole, compared to democrats/independents they seem to really only care about themselves or their immediate family and pretty much have a “f**k em” attitude towards literally everyone else. Does anyone else feel this way?

This would explain why so many are against social policies but have no issue dumping much more money into the military instead, for example.

[u/ShackbaggeredSluber]

One can make the argument that the foundation of family/tribe advantage is specifically focused on one’s own advantage. It’s a quid pro quo mentality. A zero-sum concept. I give you, but you HAVE to give me, otherwise no. It’s why their moral circle doesn’t extend beyond their tribe. They can’t extrapolate beyond an immediate benefit and complex solutions aren’t comprehensible. It has to be, if I help you, I get something out of this. It goes even further when you understand that’s where their entitlement comes from and how they can justify things like taking government money without supporting legislation that does the same thing. Or that it’s ok that they commit voter fraud while crying about it being an illegal immigrant thing. They did something so THEY’RE entitled to benefit, but not you. They’re entitled to break the rules, but not you. Because they earned it.

It’s all coming from an entirely selfish perspective. They would not help the family/tribe at all if they don’t see some benefit to themselves. Ask anyone who grew up in a conservative environment. They’ll give you examples how family/tribe denied help within the circle for one reason or another. Either because they don’t see an immediate benefit to themselves, or because they’re being petty because they feel slighted for some past transgression.

They’re all toddlers.

[u/Jaded_Hold_1342 → u/ShackbaggeredSluber]

Strongly correlated with urban vs rural population densities.

I think one reason is practical.

If you live in a city, there are lots and lots of people. People have to follow some sense of rules and regulations... otherwise life becomes unmanageable.

If you live in the country, you can sort of do what you want, and your actions dont degrade the quality of life of your community very much.

Example:

Wells and Septic systems vs Utility water and Sewers... If you live in a rural area, you have a well and a septic system... you built it.. its yours... its on your land. You can use whatever water you want... You can throw whatever you want in your sepetic, and you are responsible for the outcome. If it breaks, you fix it. No one else in your community cares at all about your well or your septic system.

In urban areas... you cant do wells and septic systems... they would overlap the property boundaries, a you'd have your neighbors shit flowing into your water supply.. it becomes a sanitation problem and requires regulation. So they build sewers and everyone has to pay in to maintenance and have water usage monitored...

The rural mindset: Ill do what I need to for me. What I do is none of your business. Don't tell me how much water I can use, its my well.

The urban mindset: We all have to obey the rules on wells/septic systems so we aren't drinking each others shit. I will accept this rule and comply with it, and give up control of my water supply to the community.

The viewpoints are somewhat related to a sense of self reliance vs community cooperation, and how much your actions impact your neighbors.

I think thats part of how the different mindsets establish... but they extend much beyond basic practical matters.

[u/ImprovementPutrid441 → u/ShackbaggeredSluber]

Well yes, this is why republicans seem to think all relationships are transactional. It’s a selfish perspective that breeds a weird kind of altruism. You can see it in their anti lgbt stances too. Why would you cut off your gay child just for being gay?

Because they owe you grandchildren. Their life was ultimately a tool to achieve that so they don’t get to make choices for their own happiness.