Identity Politics and the Growing Cultural Rift in America
Identity politics combined with cultural and ethnic differences are causing a divide between rural and urban America.
The demographic change in the American electorate has many political consequences for how campaigns are run. Growing partisanship coupled with ideological radicalization of the parties is a result not only of the browning of America, but also a geographic and cultural schism in society. This essay will revisit the 2016 presidential election, dissecting the underlying war of cultures with a particular focus on the elements of identity politics relevant to Hillary’s defeat.
2016 Revisited
The 2016 election saw the first nomination of a woman for a major political party in the United States, reaching a historical landmark for cat-lady liberals who waited all their lives to see this moment. Meanwhile, the Republican Party nominated arguably the most controversial candidate in modern history. The result was a brutal cage match showdown between the personification of boomer cat-lady feminism and the embodiment of old school alpha-male masculinity. Underneath the spectacle, a larger metapolitical culture war was fought behind the scenes during this election.
Many were shocked when Hillary’s assumed grand slam in November turned out to be a victory for the underdog. An analysis of the underlying battle between cultures proves, however, that Trump’s victory was never as outlandish as the media portrayed it to be. Read more