Abstract: I look for explanations for the phenomenon of widespread, strong, and persistent disagreements about political issues. The best explanation is provided by the hypothesis that most people are irrational about politics and not, for example, that political issues are particularly difficult or that we lack sufficient evidence for resolving them. I discuss how this irrationality works and why people are especially irrational about politics.
Money Quote: The problem of political irrationality is the greatest social problem humanity faces. It is a greater problem than crime, drug addiction, or even world poverty, because it is a problem that prevents us from solving other problems.
That quote is very very good. I imagine it a bit like mathematics (perhaps it's just me though) in the beginning of learning a new concept, one might get the feeling of being "stuck" or confused. This feeling is very uncomfortable, but you always encounter it and never can figure out why you are always feeling this way. Suddenly, one day after a brisk walk or a good nights sleep, the concept becomes clear! You have figured out the problem that was preventing you from solving the actual problem! From then on, you can apply that problem to other problems.
That is a perfect description of that nagging discomfort from getting stuck on a problem, and the almost miraculous way a solution appears only after you stop thinking about it. I have experienced that often ... when working on math problems. With political questions, I have learned not to expect a clean and clear answer from the start. Invariably the more I learn about an issue the more cloudy and uncertain it becomes; it is so hard to consider all the possible unintended consequences, obstacles, and side effects. It is also impossible to banish one's own bias, and gallingly difficult to determine that it is not at work in those rare cases when confident conclusions are obtained. I guess that's why I enjoy working on math problems more than political ones, but I find that the latter produces better -- or at least more -- conversation.