The strict father model of government is the mainstay of the Conservative, Reform, and Republican party’s manifestos. It helps keep the rich, rich and the poor, poor, yet it is incredible how many poor people think it is ‘right’. It says:

• Children have to be made to be obedient. They need firm discipline.
• The Welfare State is immoral because it makes people dependent.
• Low taxes benefit everyone. In fact, poor people get a tiny tax cut. Rich people get a big tax cut. Low taxes mean expensive public services can be reduced. 
• People who are addicts, drop outs, and criminals are failures who deserve no sympathy.
• You need to have self-discipline to prosper.
• You have to be tough to survive. Too bad if you lost.
• Life is black and white.
• The environment is a natural commodity, to be exploited.

By contrast, these are progressive, ‘woke’, nurturing caring values:

• Empathising with your child makes you better able to respond to their needs. You want your children to grow to be emotionally mature, happy and fulfilled.
• Everyone should be treat equally and fairly, and with compassion. Some people need a help up.
• In order to lead a decent life, you have to have the freedom to choose it.
• Socio-economic mobility is ultimately a matter of money and class, or a lack of it. 
• Some people have been oppressed and unfairly treated, and so deserve support.
• The earth is a precious resource that needs our protection.
• Community, cooperation and public service are important. We all thrive in strong, supportive communities.
• The world needs a greater spiritual, or religious framework in order to prosper. 

The sign of how successful this model has been, is to look at how many relatively poor people are arguing in favour of the strict father model. Taken from George Lakoff’s book Don’t Think of an Elephant.