Are Republicans zombies? The Case for Independent Thought

The idea that Republicans are mindlessly following marching orders without independent thought might seem like a bold statement, but there’s an argument to be made that today’s GOP operates in a manner that can, at times, resemble this kind of unquestioning loyalty.

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Are Republicans zombies? The Case for Independent Thought

The idea that Republicans are “zombies"—mindlessly following marching orders without independent thought — might seem like a bold statement.

Still, there’s an argument to be made that today’s GOP operates in a manner that can, at times, resemble this kind of unquestioning loyalty. Whether the party fosters true independent thinking has become increasingly relevant as we see ideological rigidity and a hyper-partisan echo chamber stifling open debate.

Groupthink Over Policy

Let’s start with the overwhelming influence of groupthink within the Republican Party.

In recent years, many prominent Republican figures have demonstrated strict adherence to party orthodoxy, often…