Amid the Great Depression of the 1930s, the country moved sharply to the left politically, then stayed there.

Amid the Deep Recession of 2008, the country zigged to the left, but now seems to be zagging back to the right.

Why the difference?

It will be hard to know for sure until after this year's midterm election, of course, and considering today's economic and political turbulence, it's dangerous to draw too many hard and fast conclusions.