America's Conflictual Political Culture

America's Conflictual Political Culture

Red and Blue America as defined by the 2000 Presidential Election

In modern society, America is separated into Red and Blue America, as defined by the 2000 presidential election. The standards set by that election created stereotypes, where Red Americans are viewed as religiously devoted morally traditional Walmart shoppers and Blue Americans are seen as wealthy arrogant organic-eating Starbucks drinkers. These stereotypes, while not necessarily true for all people, have shown the relative behavior and ideology of voters in the states. Their ideologies are shown to be nearly polar opposites for all important issues, and while some claim that they are defined by their personal beliefs and not their social principals, political culture is a result of the big issues that dominate governmental discussion. 

State's abortion rights from 2006 to 2016

Although smaller issues usually have agreement between Red and Blue Americans, the extreme social, racial, and emotional diversity of Blue America and the lack of it in Red America show the true conflictual ideologies. In the article "One Nation, Slightly Divisible" by David Brooks, it is described that "Red America is traditional, religious, self-disciplined, and patriotic" while "Blue America is modern, secular, self-expressive, and discomfited by blatant displays of patriotism." Without even mentioning the direct conflicts, tension is already predictable between the two moral systems due to the traditionalism of Red America. With Blue Americans being expressive about their more tender, different way to live, Red Americans become uncomfortable with the modernization of life. This is seen in modern life through gay rights and the protests to same-sex marriage, with religion and traditions being used as a defense. Homosexuality, along with pro-choice abortions, are two of the major disagreements between both systems that undeniably showcase the conflictual differences in morals among Red and Blue America. Additionally, the statistics show the diversity between ethnicity, education, and income, which are extremely different. Brooks mentions that "in Montgomery County"(a Blue America region) "60 percent of the population is white, 15 percent is black, 12 percent is Hispanic, and 11 percent is Asian" while in Franklin county (Red America) "95 percent of the population is white." Adults in Blue America also have a higher percentage of citizens with degrees and diplomas and have a greater income. Blue America is often seen as more advantaged, which is a cause for the great

Policies banning sexual orientation or gender equality as of 2007

modernization of the area. The increased education most likely instructed the students of a modern way of life, likely resulting in the progressive era that is experienced in Blue America. I agree with Asija's belief that though these stereotypes do not define all people within Red and Blue states, but prove that there is evidence of a deeper division than what is sometimes assumed about them. 

Hillary Clinton, during her speech following Trump's victory, shows the division between the separate parties in the country. In the "Hillary Clinton Concession Speech" video, she is says to her campaign's followers "You represent the best of America, and being your candidate has been on of the greatest honors of my life." A phrase overlooked, by congratulating her followers and calling them the best of America, the stigmatism between the moral systems is noticeable. Although Clinton likely did not mean that the democrats who supported her were better than the republicans favoring Trump, she did show that there was tension between the different parties. While she congratulates Trump on his victory and offers to assist him in his attempt to "improve" the country, it is recognizable that Clinton thinks lower of the Red Americans who supported Trump after the results. Although what she said was not intended to show the separation between parties in such a tragic time, she did prove the conflictual beliefs of Blue Americans and Red Americans. 

While minor issues between Red Americans and Blue Americans often show less disagreement, the major issues and visual diversity of the systems proves that there is a greater amount of conflictual ideology than consensual. It is statistically proven that Blue Americans are more educated and ethnically diverse, which causes conflict with the closed-minded Red Americans who tend to be stereotyped as racists and homophobes. Hillary Clinton, who for some reason lost the 2016 presidential election, showed that there is slight stigmatism between the moral systems. Although, compromises can be made in America, it almost never happens; a controversial topic is either solved using a far Left solution or a far Right, meaning that there is never any true agreement on dominant political issues. This lack of agreement rules out the possibility as a consensual government and shows the conflictual nature of American culture.

Questions:
- Do the major political issues (abortion, gay rights, etc.) define the political culture of the country or is it the moral beliefs of an individual?
- Should there be compromise to make America a consensual culture or is the current situation more ideal for a representative democracy?\
- Should the maps of the Red/Blue America be updated to the 2016 election to show a more accurate representation of the modern voter preference?