การเมืองเรื่องการเปรียบเทียบ (The Politics of Comparisons)

 การเมืองเรื่องการเปรียบเทียบ (The Politics of Comparisons)

Janpha Thadphoothon

This post is all about English language learning and teaching - nothing at all, whatsoever, about or related to politics. After all. I am an English teacher. I can be political, but I do not like it, so I refrain from committing it. 

Image: ChatGPT 4.o

We compare many things. I was better last year. We were better off previous decade. We compare with our pasts and others too.

We make sense of the world by comparing, contrasting, and contesting our ideas and what we have and know with those from other sources. This is our natural tendency.

Human Nature and Cognition:

Human beings have an innate tendency to compare and contrast. This cognitive process helps us understand the complexities of our environment, learn new information, and make informed decisions. By comparing our ideas and experiences with those of others, we can better evaluate their validity and relevance. For example, in a history class, students might compare and contrast the causes and effects of World War I and World War II. By identifying similarities and differences, they gain a deeper understanding of each conflict's unique and shared characteristics, enhancing their overall grasp of historical events.

Cultural and Social Influence:

Our social environment plays a significant role in shaping our perceptions and beliefs. We constantly compare our lives, achievements, and values with those of our peers, which can influence our self-esteem, motivations, and aspirations. This social comparison is a fundamental aspect of human interaction and helps in the formation of social norms and cultural values.

Maria compared her job satisfaction with her friend's, realizing she wanted a career change.

John often compares his cooking skills with his brother's, aiming to improve his own recipes.

The students compared their test scores to see who had the highest grade in the class.

Sarah compared the prices of different laptops before deciding which one to buy.

Tom and his friends compared their vacation experiences, discussing which destination was the most enjoyable.

Learning and Knowledge Acquisition:

Comparison is a key mechanism in learning. By contrasting new information with what we already know, we can identify similarities and differences, which aids in comprehension and retention. This method is used extensively in education, where students compare different theories, historical events, or scientific phenomena to gain a deeper understanding.

Decision-Making:

Living is about making choices - what to eat, where to go for lunch, places for holidays, etc. When faced with choices, we naturally compare the available options to determine the best course of action. This process involves weighing the pros and cons, considering past experiences, and evaluating potential outcomes. By doing so, we can make more rational and effective decisions.

Critical Thinking and Innovation:

Comparison fosters critical thinking and creativity. By challenging our ideas and beliefs against alternative perspectives, we can identify flaws, biases, and areas for improvement. This contestation of ideas is essential for innovation, as it encourages us to think outside the box and develop new solutions.

We may wish to compare similarities between judges and musicians - their responses to audiences. A judge may, in many respects, does things similar to a guitar player.

Identity and Self-Understanding:

Through comparison, we develop a sense of identity and self-awareness. By evaluating our traits, behaviors, and accomplishments in relation to others, we gain insights into our strengths and weaknesses. This self-reflection is crucial for personal growth and development.

Conflict and Resolution:

While comparison can lead to conflict, it is also a pathway to resolution. By understanding the differences and commonalities between opposing viewpoints, we can find common ground and negotiate solutions. This process is fundamental in diplomacy, mediation, and conflict resolution.

Economic and Market Dynamics:

In the economic sphere, comparison drives competition and consumer choice. Businesses compare their products and services with those of their competitors to identify market gaps and improve their offerings. Consumers, on the other hand, compare prices, quality, and features to make informed purchasing decisions.

Our natural tendency to compare, contrast, and contest ideas and experiences is a fundamental aspect of human cognition and social interaction. It enables us to learn, make decisions, innovate, and understand ourselves and the world around us. By embracing this tendency, we can harness its potential to enhance our knowledge, solve problems, and improve our lives.

The Best of What?

Comparing different subjects often involves focusing on specific parameters or areas to make meaningful comparisons. Here are some examples of sentences that demonstrate this concept:

1. Movies:

   - "The Politics of Comparisons is one of the best movies I have ever seen because of its compelling storytelling and strong character development."

I have seen many movies. This is one of the best.

   - Among the most popular songs of all time, 'Bohemian Rhapsody' by Queen stands out due to its unique structure and lasting impact on pop culture.

2. Books:

   - "In the realm of fantasy literature, The Lord of the Rings series is often considered unparalleled due to its detailed world-building and intricate plot."

   - "Among modern novels, The Road by Cormac McCarthy is notable for its stark prose and emotional depth."

In the realm of fantasy literature, The Lord of the Rings series is often considered one of the most unparalleled works due to its detailed world-building and intricate plot.

3. Sports:

   - "In terms of career achievements, Michael Jordan is often regarded as the greatest basketball player of all time because of his six NBA championships and five MVP awards."

   - "When it comes to tennis, Roger Federer is considered one of the best due to his record of 20 Grand Slam titles."

4. Technology:

   - "Among smartphones, the iPhone is often seen as the best due to its seamless integration with other Apple products and its user-friendly interface."

   - "In the field of electric cars, Tesla is frequently highlighted for its innovation in battery technology and autonomous driving capabilities."

5. Cuisine:

   - "In Italian cuisine, pizza is often considered a favorite because of its versatility and universal appeal."

   - "Among desserts, chocolate cake is often regarded as a classic choice due to its rich flavor and widespread popularity."

By narrowing down the parameters of our comparisons, we can make clearer and more focused claims. This approach helps in providing a better understanding of why one item stands out in a particular area.

Stay Positive

We should narrow down our comparisons for clarity. In fact, we need to be tactful when comparing things and qualities:

• Sensitivity: Comparisons can be hurtful, especially when they touch on personal qualities or things people can't control. A blunt comparison can make someone feel inferior or inadequate.

• Context Matters: Not all comparisons are created equal. Saying "This cake is better than yours" at a potluck can be discouraging, while mentioning a specific technique that makes a cake moister in a cooking class adds to the learning.

• Focus on Improvement: The goal of a comparison should be to highlight strengths and weaknesses, not to tear something down.

Here are some examples:

• Unhelpful Comparison: "You're so bad at drawing, you should just give up." (This is hurtful and discouraging.)

• Tactful Comparison: "This drawing has a great concept! Maybe shading the background a bit more would make the foreground pop." (This offers specific advice for improvement.)
  
  

• Unhelpful Comparison (workplace): "They're a much faster coder than you, I don't know how you'll keep up." (This creates unnecessary pressure and pits colleagues against each other.)

• Tactful Comparison (workplace): "They have a real knack for writing clean, efficient code. Maybe we can both learn some new techniques from their approach." (This fosters collaboration and learning.)
  

By being tactful, we can use comparisons to be constructive and helpful, rather than causing negativity or insecurity.

Cooperation versus Competition

• Loving your neighbors fosters a sense of community. When you focus on building positive relationships with those around you, it creates a supportive environment. This can help reduce feelings of isolation and inadequacy that often fuel comparison.

• Compassion replaces competition. When you see your neighbors as people you care about, you celebrate their successes and offer support during challenges. This shift from "keeping up with the Joneses" to genuine connection eliminates the need for comparisons.
  
  Let me explain more:
  

  One may ask what "keeping up with the Joneses" is.

  Meaning:

  • "Keeping up with the Joneses" is an idiom that describes trying to have the same possessions and lifestyle as your neighbors or people you know, even if you can't afford it or don't really need or want those things.
  • The focus is on material possessions and outward appearances, rather than genuine happiness or living within your means

Imagine a family named Jones who lives in your neighborhood. They always seem to have the latest car, and the biggest house, and go on expensive vacations.
If you feel pressure to buy a similar car, or house, or take expensive trips just to appear as successful as them, even though it strains your finances, then you're "keeping up with the Joneses."

Sarah works two jobs to afford a new car like her neighbor's, even though her old car is perfectly functional. She's worried people will think she's not successful if she doesn't have the latest model. In this case, Sarah is keeping up with the Joneses.

This idiom can also apply to keeping up with friends, colleagues, or even celebrities. It's important to remember that social media can often create an unrealistic portrayal of other people's lives, which can fuel the desire to "keep up."

A better approach is to focus on your own goals, happiness, and living within your means.


Focus on your own garden. The saying "Love your neighbors, but tend to your own garden" emphasizes personal growth. When you're busy nurturing your own talents and passions, you have less time and energy to dwell on what others have.

Here's an example: Imagine you and your neighbor are both passionate about gardening. Instead of comparing whose flowers are the brightest, you could:

• Share tips and techniques.
• Offer cuttings or seeds to each other.
• Work together to create a beautiful community garden.

This approach fosters connection, learning, and a sense of shared accomplishment, all while allowing each person to express their individuality in their gardening endeavors.

Status Anxiety and comparing yourself with others

Status Anxiety:

• Imagine a constant feeling of worry about how others perceive you. Are you successful? Do you have the right things? Are you keeping up? This underlying anxiety about your social standing is called status anxiety.

Comparing Yourself with Others:

• This anxiety often stems from constantly comparing yourself to others. We might compare our careers, possessions, relationships, or even our happiness to what we see online or in our social circles.

The Link:

• Social media and societal pressures can make us feel like we need to constantly measure ourselves against others. This comparison often fuels status anxiety, making us feel insecure or inadequate.

Negative Effects:

• This constant comparison can lead to:
  • Low self-esteem
  • Depression
  • Unhappiness
  • Unhealthy competition

Breaking the Cycle:

• It's important to be aware of these comparisons and how they affect you.
• Focus on your own goals and values, not what others have.
• Celebrate your own achievements, big or small.
• Surround yourself with supportive people who value you for who you are.

Examples:

• You might feel status anxiety if you constantly compare your social media feed (often carefully curated highlight reels) to your own life, feeling like everyone else is having more fun or is more successful.

• Status anxiety can also arise when you compare your career path to a friend's seemingly meteoric rise, overlooking your own accomplishments and feeling inadequate.

Remember:

• Everyone has their own journey.
• Focus on your own happiness and growth, not on keeping up with some imagined standard.

By understanding status anxiety and its link to comparison, you can learn to appreciate yourself and your unique path.

Superlative Inflation

Why "One of the most" and "One of the best...I have ever seen" can be weaknesses in phrasing:

• Lack of Specificity: These phrases are vague. How many things have you seen? "Most" and "best" are relative terms without context.

• Superlative Inflation: These phrases are thrown around so often they lose their impact. Everything seems to be "one of the most" or "one of the best" these days.

• Diminished Credibility: When everything is the "best," it makes it harder to believe your opinion is truly strong.

Here are some ways to improve your phrasing:

• Be Specific: Instead of "one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen," say "the most breathtaking mountain vista I've witnessed in all my travels."
• Use Stronger Verbs & Descriptive Language: Replace "most" or "best" with a more evocative verb that paints a clearer picture. For example, "The movie left me speechless" or "The food tantalized my taste buds."
• Highlight Unique Qualities: What sets something apart? "The restaurant's innovative use of local ingredients created a truly unforgettable dining experience."

By avoiding these overused phrases and focusing on specific details and impactful language, you can communicate your enthusiasm and make your descriptions more vivid and credible.

Why Politicians Love Comparisons

Politicians love comparing themselves and their opponents for a few key reasons:

• Highlighting Differences: Comparisons allow them to showcase their strengths and their opponent's weaknesses in a way that's easy for voters to understand. They want to paint a clear picture of why they are the better choice.
  
  

  Candidate A: "I've spent years working across the aisle to get things done. My opponent has no experience working with anyone who doesn't agree with them 100% of the time." (This emphasizes A's experience and ability to compromise, while portraying the opponent as inflexible.)

• Framing the Debate: By choosing the terms of the comparison, politicians can control the narrative. They might compare their experience to their opponent's lack of experience, or their economic plan to the opponent's "risky" proposal.

Candidate B: "My opponent's tax plan will give a huge handout to the wealthy, while my plan focuses on middle-class tax relief." (This frames B's plan as beneficial to ordinary people, while implying the opponent prioritizes the rich.)

• Appealing to Emotions: Comparisons can tap into voters' fears or aspirations. "I'm the strong leader we need to keep us safe" positions them as the protector, while comparing their opponent to a past unpopular leader might evoke negative feelings.

Candidate A: "We need strong leadership to stand up to our enemies overseas. My opponent is too weak and indecisive to keep us safe." (This plays on voters' fears of security threats, portraying A as a strong protector.)

• Mobilization: By drawing contrasts, politicians can energize their base and encourage them to vote against the other candidate. It creates an "us vs. them" mentality.
  
  

  Candidate B: "The other side wants to take away your healthcare and roll back environmental protections. We can't let them win! Vote to protect our values!" (This creates an "us vs. them" mentality, urging supporters to vote against the opponent.)

  
  
  

However, it's important to be critical of these comparisons:

• Selective Focus: Politicians often cherry-pick data or aspects of their record that make them look good while downplaying their opponent's strengths.

Below are some examples of politicians using selective focus in comparisons:

Example 1: Jobs

Candidate A: "Since I took office, unemployment has fallen to a record low!" (This is true, but...)
Reality: Candidate A might neglect to mention a recession that occurred earlier in their term, leading to the initial rise in unemployment. They might also avoid discussing stagnant wages or a decline in manufacturing jobs.

Example 2: Crime

Candidate B: "My opponent's tough-on-crime policies led to mass incarceration and didn't actually reduce crime rates." (This could be partially true, but...)
Reality: Candidate B might not acknowledge their own lack of a comprehensive crime reduction plan, or they might downplay the potential benefits of certain policies Candidate A supports.

Example 3: Education

Candidate A: "My education reforms led to a significant increase in standardized test scores!" (This sounds impressive, but...)
Reality: Candidate A might not mention concerns about teaching to the test or the negative impact these reforms might have had on creativity or well-rounded learning.

• Oversimplification: Complex issues rarely have a single best solution. Comparisons can paint a false picture of a clear-cut choice, ignoring the nuances of policy.

• Distraction: Focusing on comparisons can take away from discussing actual plans and policies. Voters deserve to hear concrete ideas, not just who's "better."

So, the next time you hear politicians comparing themselves to others, be sure to dig deeper. What specific policies are they proposing? How do their plans differ? By evaluating the substance, you can make a more informed decision about who to support.

Discrediting Opponents

Comparisons can be a tool to downplay an opponent's strengths. Focusing on similarities between a candidate's ideas and supposedly unpopular policies can be a way to diminish their appeal.

1. "Candidate Smith's healthcare plan sounds an awful lot like the one that caused wait times to skyrocket under Governor Jones. Do we really want to go back to that?" (This subtly paints the opponent's plan as similar to a past, disliked policy without directly attacking it.)

2. "While my opponent talks tough on crime, her plan relies heavily on increased incarceration, just like the failed approach that led to mass incarceration in the 90s." (This compares the opponent's plan to a policy with negative connotations, implying a lack of originality.)

3. "Candidate Green claims to be for fiscal responsibility, but her environmental proposals would require massive government spending, just like the socialist policies that bankrupted other countries." (This discredits the opponent's ideas by associating them with a broad, negatively viewed term like "socialist.")

Favoring Certain Agendas

Comparisons might be used to subtly promote a particular viewpoint. For instance, comparing a politician's tax plan to a "failed" plan from the past with negative connotations could sway people without a deep dive into the details.

1. "My opponent's tax plan gives a tax break to the wealthy at the expense of the middle class, just like the plans that have widened income inequality for decades. My plan, on the other hand, offers tax relief to working families, putting more money back in their pockets and stimulating the economy." (This compares the opponent's plan to a negatively viewed idea and positions the speaker's plan with positive economic benefits.)

2. "While my opponent proposes cuts to education funding, I believe in investing in our children's future. My plan will increase funding for schools, leading to smaller class sizes and more resources for teachers, just like the successful education reforms that boosted test scores in neighboring states." (This frames the opponent's plan as cutting essential services and positions the speaker's plan as replicating successful approaches.)

3. "We need strong national security, and my plan will prioritize funding for our military, ensuring we have the resources to keep us safe. Unlike my opponent's plan that relies on diplomacy alone, which has proven ineffective in the past, my approach will make America truly secure." (This positions the speaker's plan as prioritizing a vital need (security) and subtly discredits diplomacy as a less effective tool.)

Selective Framing

When comparing political speeches or ads, the choice of what aspects to highlight can influence how viewers perceive the messages. Focusing on inspiring rhetoric from one politician while dwelling on gaffes from another creates an unbalanced picture.

Here are some examples of selective framing in political speeches or ads:

Example 1: Focusing on Charisma vs. Policy Details

• Speech A (Candidate X): "We need to believe in a brighter future! Together, we can build a nation that's strong, prosperous, and a beacon of hope for the world!" (Focuses on inspiring emotions and unity)
• Speech B (Candidate Y): "Candidate X offers empty promises, but when you look at the details, their plan lacks a clear path to achieve these goals. We need concrete solutions, not just hopeful rhetoric." (Focuses on criticizing the lack of specifics in Candidate X's speech)

By highlighting the emotional appeal of Candidate X's speech and criticizing the lack of detail in Candidate Y's, the framing creates a perception of one being more inspiring and the other as a dry policy wonk, without necessarily addressing the substance of either candidate's plan.

Example 2: Emphasizing Specific Quotes Out of Context

• Ad for Candidate X: (Shows a clip of Candidate Y saying, "We need to tighten our belts") Voiceover: "Candidate Y wants to raise taxes and cut essential services! Is that the future you want?"
• Reality: Candidate Y's full quote might have been, "We need to tighten our belts by finding wasteful spending in the government, not by raising taxes on working families."

By taking a quote out of context and focusing on a specific phrase, the ad creates a negative impression of Candidate Y's plan, ignoring the potential nuance of their actual position.

Example 3: Focusing on Opponent's Mistakes While Ignoring Own

• Debate: Candidate X spends most of their time attacking Candidate Y's past gaffes and controversial statements. They offer little discussion of their own policies.

By constantly focusing on the opponent's negatives, Candidate X avoids scrutiny of their own record and potentially deflects attention from their own weaknesses.

Politicians love making comparisons

Here are a few key reasons:

• Highlighting Advantages: Comparisons can be used to showcase a politician's strengths against an opponent's weaknesses. By comparing their own exciting new plan to the "failed" policies of the past, they can position themselves as the agent of change.

• Simplifying Complex Issues: Political issues are often multifaceted and nuanced. Comparisons can boil things down to a simpler "us vs. them" narrative. This makes it easier for voters to grasp the key differences and potentially sway them towards a particular side.

• Appealing to Emotions: Comparisons can be a powerful tool to evoke emotions. Comparing a candidate's healthcare plan to one that supposedly led to longer wait times taps into anxieties about affordability and access. This emotional response can be more persuasive than a dry policy discussion.

• Weakening Opponents: By drawing comparisons, politicians can diminish their opponent's credibility. Highlighting gaffes from past speeches or similarities between their ideas and unpopular policies can make them seem less qualified or trustworthy.

However, it's important to remember that comparisons can be misleading. Politicians often cherry-pick data or take things out of context to fit their narrative. As a voter, it's crucial to be aware of these tactics and to seek out a broader range of information before making a decision.

Comparisons in politics are a double-edged sword. They can help us understand different approaches, but they can also be manipulated. By focusing on exciting promises from one candidate while dwelling on gaffes from another, comparisons create an unbalanced picture. We must be critical consumers, looking beyond the surface and seeking out a wider range of information to make informed decisions.

How We Make Sense of the World

Some may say that we make sense of the world by comparing, contrasting, and contesting our perceptions and perspectives with others. This is a strong and well-supported idea in psychology and philosophy.

• Limited Viewpoint: Each of us experiences the world through a unique lens shaped by our background, values, and experiences. Comparing our perceptions with others helps us see things from different angles and identify potential biases in our own thinking.
• Stimulating Critical Thinking: When we encounter contrasting viewpoints, it forces us to critically evaluate our own beliefs and assumptions. We may find evidence to support our perspective, or we might need to revise it based on new information or experiences.
• Building Understanding: By understanding how others perceive the world, we can develop empathy and build stronger relationships. This can be crucial in navigating complex social situations and fostering cooperation.
• Refining Knowledge: Through respectful debate and discussion, we can test the validity of our ideas and arrive at a more nuanced understanding of complex issues.

So, comparing is something we cannot do without. Comparisons are indeed ingrained in how we make sense of the world. It's like a fundamental tool in our cognitive toolbox.

A fair comparison requires considering the context of each situation. Comparing economic data from a booming year to a recession is misleading.

Last but not least, while comparisons are valuable, they shouldn't be the only tool. Evaluating political ideas based on their own merit and potential impact is also crucial.

Janpha Thadphoothon is an assistant professor of ELT at the International College, Dhurakij Pundit University in Bangkok, Thailand. Janpha Thadphoothon also holds a certificate of Generative AI with Large Language Models issued by DeepLearning.AI.