1.

Record Nr.

UNINA9911008457303321

Autore

Brewer Mark D

Titolo

Split : class and cultural divides in American politics / / Mark D. Brewer, Jeffrey M. Stonecash

Pubbl/distr/stampa

Washington, D.C., : CQ Press, c2007

ISBN

9781483330532

1483330532

9780872892989

0872892980

9781483300313

1483300315

Descrizione fisica

1 online resource (xvi, 224 p.) : ill

Altri autori (Persone)

StonecashJeffrey M

Disciplina

324.273

Soggetti

Class consciousness - Political aspects - United States

Social conflict - United States

Culture conflict - United States

United States Social conditions 21st century

United States Politics and government 2001-2009

Lingua di pubblicazione

Inglese

Formato

Materiale a stampa

Livello bibliografico

Monografia

Note generali

Includes index.

Nota di bibliografia

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Sommario/riassunto

Talk of politics in the United States today is abuzz with warring red and blue factions. The message is that Americans are split due to deeply-held beliefs--over abortion, gay marriage, stem-cell research, prayer in public schools. Is this cultural divide a myth, the product of elite partisans? Or is the split real?Yes, argue authors Mark Brewer and Jeffrey Stonecash--the cultural divisions are real. Yet they tell only half the story. Differences in income and economic opportunity also fuel division--a split along class lines. Cultural issues have not displaced class issues, as many believe. Split shows that both divisions coexist meaning that levels of taxation and the quality of healthcare matter just as much as the debate over the right to life versus the right to choose.The authors offer balanced, objective analysis, complete with a wealth



of data-rich figures and tables, to explain the social trends underlying these class and cultural divides and then explore the response of the parties and voters. Offering solid empirical evidence, the authors show that how politicians, the media, and interest groups perceive citizen preferences--be they cultural or class based--determines whether or not the public gets what it wants. Simply put, each set of issues creates political conflict and debate that produce very different policies and laws. With a lively and highly readable narrative, students at every level will appreciate the brevity and punch of Split and come away with a more nuanced understanding of the divisions that drive the current American polity.