While I hesitate to draw too many comparisons between different countries, the recent election in Great Britain may reveal some important issues.
Perhaps the most similar trend is that both countries are in a post industrial period.
The industrial period was notable for its need for seemingly infinite workers who engaged in a long struggle to gain status with the Unions as a main factor. It had a lot to do with their well being and led to certain political alliances.
The current period is probably best referred to as the technological era where the need for manual labor has been greatly reduced leading to a significant decrease in that well being.
Those worker have been forced to accept positions that don't pay as much or get government assistance.
It has torn at traditional political alliances leading to new voting patterns, at least in the last election.
It also pointed out that being zealous is not an effective vote getting process. Many of the policies embraced just didn't have broad popular appeal, although eagerly supported by relatively small groups.
If your platform is viewed as radical by moderates, you will almost certainly lose a general election.
Finally they had a very individually unpopular leader. It amazes me how that happens but it is the result of certain party infighting. Becoming your party's nominee is hardly the goal, winning the general election is.
How to pick a candidate that has broad public support in the modern age is the challenge.
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