America's Consensual Political Culture

In the current state of America, it is very easy to say that we have a conflictual political culture with the strong divide there is between political parties. However, I believe that America’s political culture is consensual rather than conflictual.

In a conflictual political culture, citizens have a difficult time agreeing on many policies. The division between the people seems very deep, almost to a point where it is unfixable. Many will agree, and even I could agree, that this sounds very much like the current state of America. However, while we may fight and have our differences, we tend to agree much more than we think. In “One Nation, Slightly Divisible” by David Brooks, he points out the many distinctions between the people in red and blue states. While some of those stereotypes may be true, Brooks continues by explaining the many similarities Americans do have. For example, he included a poll that stated “There are clear guidelines about what’s good or evil that apply to everyone regardless of their situation”, and 43% of blue-staters and 49% of red-staters agreed with this statement, showing how most Americans agree on the basis of basic morals. Brooks also mentioned that although we may not realize it, someone in the suburbs of Arizona would most likely have the same values and beliefs as someone in the suburbs of Connecticut. Americans tend to value personal liberty, equality, democracy, civil society, individualism, and religious faith and freedom, no matter what state they are from. This is also briefly highlighted in President Obama's speech, where he mentions that the common American wants their children to live in a free country with a decent chance at becoming successful.

One of the main reasons so many people believe that America has a conflictual political culture is because we allow ourselves to be divided. People much like Donald Trump constantly try to divide America. In "Donald Trump's Best Lines During His 2016 Speech", just a few of many examples are shown of his attempts to divide us. He often focuses on our differences rather than trying to highlight our similarities and unite us as a country by using racism, sexism, and other insults. This not only leads to deeper beliefs that our country is extremely polarized, but may eventually lead to an actual deeper division. Trump also claims that “the American Dream is dead”, thus leading us to believe that the American people do not want the same things. However, this chart below shows that this is not true, and that most Americans value the same things when it comes to the American Dream.

So, while appearing to be very polarized and conflictual, America’s political culture is more consensual. We do disagree from time to time, but disagreement is necessary in order to democracy to truly work. In the end, Americans generally hold the same values and just want a free country where they can live happily and successfully. We cannot let people like Donald Trump divide us any further apart with his fear tactics and insults; we must try to put ourselves back together to become united.