Why do people get so angry at the mere mention of politics?

Question

The moment I bring up ANY issue that is politically related, however general, the response I often get can best be described as hostile or defensive. You would think that I had just announced that I like to eat kittens for breakfast! And this is before I even get to inject my opinion or even ask a specific question!

I find this disheartening because it seems like people want to just bury their heads in the sand and ignore what is going on in the world around them. Could it be that it's just easier to be willfully ignorant than to actually deal with issues? The trouble is that when people ignore things, important things, it makes it easier for bad people to do bad things, you know what I mean? Why do people have such a hard time dealing with politics?

Answer 1

There is most like a 2 fold reason.

The first one being that the realm of politics seems uncontrollable. We work hard to try to elect the people we will think will do a good job and then nothing good comes of it. The frustrations insues when we see no fruit for all our effort.  One naturals shys away from the situation again. Its a natural defense reaction.

The second one might be that you have an overbearing opinion of your own political views and want those views to be adopted by those you speak to. There again the defense is triggered when we are being forced to thinking a certain way or believe a certain thing. This may not be your intention but it still percieved that way. Wall will start to go up all around you. And each repeated attempt in that manner just makes their reaction quicker and more repelling.

Answer 2

I think we need to consider the historical perspective because it diffuses the issue of blame a bit.  Manifest destiny, the doctrine that the US should expand to its natural borders, allowed the people to find the space they needed to make a life for themselves.  In a sense, this allowed many potential issues amongst the people to be deferred, until now.  This implies that few have the faintest idea of what good government is, nor have they developed skills in effective communication.

Today, we have a lot of disenfranchisement.  The solution lies with government, but it also requires participation by the broadest cross-section of the people.  Government can improve its processes such that participants have more meaningful experiences and obtain results.  People need to participate and have patience and tolerance.  They must withhold judgment of others, try very hard to really understand their point of view.  My impression is that you are not one of those angry ones.  That is good.  Participate.  And encourage others to do so as well, even if you know you don't share some or all their values.  Understand that this is a better way, but it is not easier.  I suggest getting involved in local government for starters.  Good luck.

Answer 3

I think it's because Americans have come to expect such a heated debate when it concerns politics.

Just as the politicians do, they usually taint their responses and questions with untruths, half-truths, and lies.....which in my experience has led me to believe that most will energize themselves with a heated passion in order to feel better about their own personal beliefs.....

Answer 4

Probably because we have been so screwed over by our politicians.

Answer 5

Their are some politicians spoil the total politics.

They promised certain things and they forgotten to do that.

And most of the politicians have the selfishness.

         My point of view politics is the one where "

       The great leaders lead the society in the right way

      and enchance the life of the people..."

                       They are the distinct one in the society but now these days most of the politicians concentrate only in the power and their position and they want to maintain those power without any work for that.

         They do not do anything for all the people. they see the

partiality. they do some great things to their party only in which he belongs to.

              So people get tension when we talk about politicans

Answer 6

Because of the Far Left Wing Ultra Liberal Democrats that have bowed low before George Soros and the MoveOn crowd seeking only "issues" instead of "solutions".

I personally know people that get violently ill, wretch and vomit uncontrollably at the mere sight of Hillary Clinton!

Answer 7

Amen.  I get the same response.  I think people are totally disgusted with the political situation right now and that is part of it.  The country has been lied to and mislead by the political system.  It seems like all politicians are liars.  They get up publicly and make like they are such moral, ethical, God fearing individuals then the next thing you know, it all gets blown away by their actions.  We all need to take a greater interest in politics and government and make the people we elect accountable for their actions.

Answer 8

It is said that the two subjects that people should avoid are religion and politics.  

I find this amusing.

People treat political beliefs like religion, meaning that they place too much an emphasis on what they believe instead of what they know.  You could rarely try to convince someone that God doesn't exist, because it is what people believe, and faith requires no evidence.

Politics, on the other hand, should be based on Social Sciences.  

People get mad while discussing politics because fact is not a necessary component of belief, although it should be.

As with religion people "want to just bury their heads in the sand" when they find truth that doesn't coincide with their beliefs.  

It is not your fault for wanting to have intelligent discussions with people who are political fundamentalists.  It is their fault for not having the brains and integrity to argue a point.

People, unfortunately, tend to believe what they want to believe.

Answer 9

Traditionally(and even today) most of the people who got into politics desire power and wealth and had absolutely no people or nations interest in mind or if they do its secondary.

When we have been only seeing such greedy and unscruplous in politics for so long its obvious that the common man is disgusted with even the word politics.