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Political polarization

ksinger

ksinger

Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
Jan 30, 2008
Messages
5,083
Here's an interesting article at The Huffington Post about a new Pew study on political polarization. The link to the actual Pew study is in the first paragraph. There's also a 17 question test once you get to the Pew site, that you can take to see where you fall.

America’s Political Divides Run Deeper Than Just Republicans And Democrats
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entr...2dce4b0b7e63265af9a?ncid=inblnkushpmg00000009
 
Interesting -- thanks for posting this article. And according to the quiz I am an Opportunity Democrat, along with 12% of the population.

Democratic-leaning and financially comfortable, Opportunity Democrats have liberal attitudes on most issues including the environment, immigration and homosexuality. They stand out from other Democratic groups in their strong belief that hard work is enough for most people to get ahead and for being somewhat less likely to see structural barriers facing blacks and women. They are supportive of U.S. engagement abroad and involvement in global markets.

(Sorry for the hit and run but someone just put a meeting on my calendar I wasn't expecting -- be back later.)
 
Imagine that.

Core Conservative - 13% of the population.

This overwhelmingly Republican group holds conservative attitudes across a wide range of issues, especially in their support for smaller government. Core Conservatives are deeply skeptical of the social safety net and favor lower tax rates on corporations and high-income individuals. While they are divided on whether immigrants do more to strengthen or burden the country, Core Conservatives offer far more positive views of immigrants than do Country First Conservatives. Core Conservatives are relatively upbeat about national conditions and a majority says that the United States “stands above” all other nations in the world.
 
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I cannot look now. Have to run to the YMCA to get my daughter at the pool. Can't wait to get back and read this! But I am willing to bet I will come out closer to Dee*Jay than to red!!! (Just a hunch)

Deb
:saint:
 
Solid Liberal :-o
16% of the public

Highly educated and politically engaged, Solid Liberals hold consistently liberal values. They back a robust role for government and are strong advocates of the social safety net. Large majorities view the current economic system as unfair and see economic inequality as a major problem. They take broadly positive views of immigrants, and fully 99% think being open to people from around the world is an essential part of the nation’s identity. Most say more needs to be done to address both racial discrimination and obstacles to women’s achievement. They support same-sex marriage and believe homosexuality should be accepted by society. Solid Liberals are the most Democratic of all typology groups: nearly two-thirds (64%) identify as Democrats, another 35% lean toward the Democratic Party.
 
Spot on for me too:

Solid Liberals
along with 16% of the public.

Highly educated and politically engaged, Solid Liberals hold consistently liberal values. They back a robust role for government and are strong advocates of the social safety net. Large majorities view the current economic system as unfair and see economic inequality as a major problem. They take broadly positive views of immigrants, and fully 99% think being open to people from around the world is an essential part of the nation’s identity. Most say more needs to be done to address both racial discrimination and obstacles to women’s achievement. They support same-sex marriage and believe homosexuality should be accepted by society. Solid Liberals are the most Democratic of all typology groups: nearly two-thirds (64%) identify as Democrats, another 35% lean toward the Democratic Party.
 
NEW ERA ENTERPRISER
11% of the public


This relatively young, economically conservative, Republican-leaning group tends to be relatively moderate on immigration and views about America’s engagement with the rest of the world. Most say U.S. involvement in the global economy is a good thing and that immigrants strengthen the nation. As is the case with other GOP-leaning groups, a majority of New Era Enterprisers reject the idea that racial discrimination is the main reason many black people are unable to get ahead. Nearly two-thirds favor societal acceptance of homosexuality. New Era Enterprisers are less critical about government than other Republican-leaning groups.

*****(Except I said discrimination is real... and I think it is ridiculous that in 2017 people still wonder if gay people should be accepted SMH) so I don't feel this tag was the best fit for me.

Compare your answers with results from our national survey:

  • New Era Enterprisers
  • General Public

Ideological placement puts new era enterprisers in the middle between liberal and conservative, which I would say is true for me. I identify as a moderate independent.
 
I am a SOLID LIBERAL. 16% of the population is. I'm a minority!!! ;-)
 
Interesting. What do you think holds black Americans back?


whitewave said:
NEW ERA ENTERPRISER
11% of the public


This relatively young, economically conservative, Republican-leaning group tends to be relatively moderate on immigration and views about America’s engagement with the rest of the world. Most say U.S. involvement in the global economy is a good thing and that immigrants strengthen the nation. As is the case with other GOP-leaning groups, a majority of New Era Enterprisers reject the idea that racial discrimination is the main reason many black people are unable to get ahead. Nearly two-thirds favor societal acceptance of homosexuality. New Era Enterprisers are less critical about government than other Republican-leaning groups.

*****(Except I said discrimination is real... and I think it is ridiculous that in 2017 people still wonder if gay people should be accepted SMH) so I don't feel this tag was the best fit for me.

Compare your answers with results from our national survey:

  • New Era Enterprisers
  • General Public
Click to expand...
 
Indeed yes! :) thank you for answering.

whitewave said:
Racism. I thought racism was a thing of the past until the last few years. I see it is still alive and well....
Click to expand...
 
Your best fit is...
Solid Liberals
along with 16% of the public.

Whaaaaat? 8-)
 
monarch64 said:
Solid liberal here. I guess all the solid liberals in America are on this site.
Click to expand...

Monnie, you posted in another thread that older people were more conservative. I took exception to that. This research that ksinger posted may provide some insight into why each of us held the position that we did. These are two descriptions of groups from the article.

“'Country first conservatives' ― who, at more than 7 in 10 of those older than 50, are the oldest of any group ― are less educated and deeply concerned that the U.S. risks losing its identity by being too open."

and

“'Solid liberals,' by far the largest and most politically active group on the left, are also the whitest, the wealthiest and the most highly educated."

The "conservative first conservatives" are, indeed, described as being -7 in 10 at least- older than 50. That is consistent with the research that another poster in the other thread quoted about the UK. (It said that people in the UK were more conservative when they were older.)

On the other hand, "solid liberals" are the most politically active group on the left. That would mean that one would be more likely to encounter them if one entered the political world. because activity would bring them to meetings,; marches; and, perhaps, to gatherings on websites where they post about politics. Perhaps they eat, sleep, and breathe politics!

The "solid liberals" are also the "whitest; wealthiest; and most highly educated". That might mean that those people, regardless of age, would not be sitting back and watching Fox news. They would be more likely be reading "The New York Times".

Perhaps some older voters fall into the country first conservative mold, but others are simply wealthier, better educated, and reading different material.
 
monarch64 said:
Solid liberal here. I guess all the solid liberals in America are on this site. :eek2:
Click to expand...

I guess that makes me the minority of the group? :mrgreen2: Duh. Didn't need a test for that though.
 
AGBF said:
Monnie, you posted in another thread that older people were more conservative. I took exception to that. This research that ksinger posted may provide some insight into why each of us held the position that we did. These are two descriptions of groups from the article.

“'Country first conservatives' ― who, at more than 7 in 10 of those older than 50, are the oldest of any group ― are less educated and deeply concerned that the U.S. risks losing its identity by being too open."

and

“'Solid liberals,' by far the largest and most politically active group on the left, are also the whitest, the wealthiest and the most highly educated."

The "conservative first conservatives" are, indeed, described as being -7 in 10 at least- older than 50. That is consistent with the research that another poster in the other thread quoted about the UK. (It said that people in the UK were more conservative when they were older.)

On the other hand, "solid liberals" are the most politically active group on the left. That would mean that one would be more likely to encounter them if one entered the political world. because activity would bring them to meetings,; marches; and, perhaps, to gatherings on websites where they post about politics. Perhaps they eat, sleep, and breathe politics!

The "solid liberals" are also the "whitest; wealthiest; and most highly educated". That might mean that those people, regardless of age, would not be sitting back and watching Fox news. They would be more likely be reading "The New York Times".

Perhaps some older voters fall into the country first conservative mold, but others are simply wealthier, better educated, and reading different material.
Click to expand...

You left out these. This is more of the people I know rather than the Country First people. I do not know many that fit that group. Though none of these fit me very well. It does not allow for more socially liberal and fiscal conservative types in those other groups. I thought the questions were quite extreme to one end or the other on all issues.

“Core conservatives” are politically engaged and financially comfortable. They think that corporate profits are reasonable, that the economic system is fair, that poor people “have it easy” and that the global economy gives the U.S. opportunity to grow. They’re divided on whether immigrants strengthen or burden the U.S. and are largely untroubled by homosexuality.
 
Dee*Jay said:
Interesting -- thanks for posting this article. And according to the quiz I am an Opportunity Democrat, along with 12% of the population.

Democratic-leaning and financially comfortable, Opportunity Democrats have liberal attitudes on most issues including the environment, immigration and homosexuality. They stand out from other Democratic groups in their strong belief that hard work is enough for most people to get ahead and for being somewhat less likely to see structural barriers facing blacks and women. They are supportive of U.S. engagement abroad and involvement in global markets.

(Sorry for the hit and run but someone just put a meeting on my calendar I wasn't expecting -- be back later.)
Click to expand...

Another Opportunity Democrat here.
 
redwood66 said:
You left out

“Core conservatives” are politically engaged and financially comfortable. They think that corporate profits are reasonable, that the economic system is fair, that poor people “have it easy” and that the global economy gives the U.S. opportunity to grow. They’re divided on whether immigrants strengthen or burden the U.S. and are largely untroubled by homosexuality.
Click to expand...

I left them out because they didn't relate to my discussion with Monnie, not because they were not an important group in society, red. Although, in truth, perhaps some of the "core conservatives" are also part of the over 50 group of which we speak. No one told us how old the core conservative cohort was, though, whereas we were told that 7 in 10 of the other conservative group was over 50.
 
AGBF said:
I left them out because they didn't relate to my discussion with Monnie, not because they were not an important group in society, red. Although, in truth, perhaps some of the "core conservatives" are also part of the over 50 group of which we speak. No one told us how old this cohort was, though.
Click to expand...
Like always I have edited the crap out of my comments. ;)2
 
none of the above is the correct answer back in a bit to see what it says....
 
yep just as wrong as all the rest of em.
Market Skeptic Republicans
along with 12% of the public.

Bits and pieces fit but overall not.

The market is messed up that is for sure however.
 
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I listened to an interview of Jonathan Haidt, a NYU Business School professor, social psychologist, and author of The Righteous Mind: Why Good People are Divided by Politics and Religion,**
https://www.amazon.com/Righteous-Mind-Divided-Politics-Religion/dp/B008OEMNNQ/
on WNYC (NPR) this week & was intrigued. Perhaps you too will find him engaging and thought-provoking.
http://www.wnyc.org/story/jonathan-haidt--the-psychology-of-selfrighteousness/

** Although the interviewer didn't ask this question, I'm wondering -- after listening to what he said in the course of the hour -- if Dr. Haidt might not now think of changing the title of his 2012 book; it doesn't adequately/accurately capture what I understood him to be saying in October 2017.
 
MollyMalone said:
I listened to an interview of Jonathan Haidt, a NYU Business School professor, social psychologist, and author of The Righteous Mind: Why Good People are Divided by Politics and Religion,**
https://www.amazon.com/Righteous-Mind-Divided-Politics-Religion/dp/B008OEMNNQ/
on WNYC (NPR) this week & was intrigued. Perhaps you too will find him engaging and thought-provoking.
http://www.wnyc.org/story/jonathan-haidt--the-psychology-of-selfrighteousness/

** Although the interviewer didn't ask this question, I'm wondering -- after listening to what he said in the course of the hour -- if Dr. Haidt might not now think of changing the title of his 2012 book; it doesn't adequately/accurately capture what I understood him to be saying in October 2017.
Click to expand...
Hi Molly. Thanks for the link to the NPR interview. I am in the middle of listening and am intrigued by him.
 
Solid Liberal.
 
Another Opportunity Democrat here. They must be having a sale on them today.
 
redwood66 said:
Hi Molly. Thanks for the link to the NPR interview. I am in the middle of listening and am intrigued by him.
Click to expand...
You're welcome! :wavey:

I've again been listening more to WNYC of late, e.g., the Moth Radio Hour
https://themoth.org/stories/carry-him-shoulder-high
the eclectic programming of New Sounds is almost always a lovely way to wind down the day
http://www.wnyc.org/story/john-luther-adams-become-ocean/
& I ordered Matt Taibbi''s book released this week, I Can't Breathe, because i'm a NYC resident who's had more than a few questions about the Eric Garner matter & I was much more impressed by Taibbi, the legwork he seems to have done, and his observations in Monday's Fresh Air interview than I expected to be; what little of him-his work I knew did not appeal to me.
 
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