In the 2001 article “One Nation, Slightly Divisible”, David Brooks argues that the United States is not a divided nation, but rather a “cafeteria nation”, composed of different cliques of people with similar views. Brooks acknowledges the various theories created to explain why America is divided. Although some, more-so liberals, may believe that vast financial differences between the different socioeconomic classes make way for this divide, others, especially conservatives, insinuate that America is divided between two “moral” systems. This second theory argues that Red America adheres to its traditional, religious, and self-disciplined views, while Blue America reflects more modern, secular, and self-expressive views. In more rural areas,
Also, diversity is a word that can describe America. Being American allows you to have so many opportunities and choices that make this county so diverse. “What we have to do…is to find a way to celebrate our diversity and debate our differences without fracturing our communities.” Hilary Clinton once said this about diversity in the United States. America is a place where people are able to speak their mind openly and not be punished for it. There is also many different cultures and ways of life. Culture can vary from state to state, but also there are different cultures within the states as well. Without traveling far you can defiantly see many different cultures all around. Having all of the cultures and ways of life helps keep America
Human beings all around the world are different in many ways. They all have their unique and physical characteristics, as well as different personalities. They each also have different ideas and thoughts on different topics. America is made up of a great amount of diverse people with diverse, even conflicting opinions and ideas. Diversity is a major component of the foundation of our country. The cliché of American as a salad bowl is extremely true. Every person is different and every person in his or her own way makes up a small part of America. Without the diversity of ideas and beliefs of Americans, the nation would not be nearly as
Democrats and Republicans in the US Congress are as ideologically consistent and distinct as they have been at any point. Both houses in the US congress have become more ideologically polarized in the past few years. Parties have grown increasingly divided in the past years on all major policy dimensions in American politics, Democrats have become more liberal and Republicans have become more conservative and independents are also leaning towards sides now a days. In fact, I believe that political polarization in congress was at an all-time high the past year. Party polarization has been increasing since the 1970’s and I believe it will not slow down any time soon, despite a period of depolarization period in the mid-20th century
divisions in society have detrimental economic effects on both our country as a whole and Americans
America is currently divided. Politics from the recent elections have left this nation sore and torn apart by the conflicting political opinions of it's citizens. Politics nowadays are extremely polarized, so much so that we are at a 20 year high with the end nowhere near in sight. This has led to people firmly distrusting and even hating each other, seen by the fact that 27% of Democrats and 36% of Republicans believe that the opposing party is a threat to the nation’s well being. Political polarization must be put to the end, and there seems to be one major culprit, political parties.
There are, however, actions that the people can pressure government to take, which would mitigate and mend the divide. These actions, however, require a champion. With any luck, that champion is Donald Trump. Although a large portion of the nation feels that Trump will destroy America,
With healthcare reform and the recent government shutdown, one might want to know what has made our country so divided. The truth of the matter is that our nation is still broken up into distinct regions with ideologies dating back to the first settlers. Although our nation was strongly initiated on the grounds of revolution and liberty, the entire country has not always had the same views. While we as a country have been through a great number of immigration waves, civil war, and reform, the nation is still divided into two significant blocs with opposing ideologies. While hear in the Northern alliance of reform we do not feel as much tension because of our
America has always been associated with the idea of being filled with diversity and for the most part that is true. We are diverse in culture, ethnicity, religion, politics, income, character, and in many other ways. But when you bring us together we aren’t unified and as truly diverse as others might believe. “…what I have seen all around the country is people making strenuous efforts to group themselves with people who are basically like themselves” (Brooks 261). I agree with this statement because, it’s accurate in the sense that we tend to place ourselves in groups that we have more in common with just because
Since our nation has such diverse qualities and characteristics, you would think that everyone who lives in such a country, we would all come and stick together. With people who are so different, in so many different types of ways, being a united and unified nation would be knowledgeable. But instead our country consists of "people making strenuous efforts to group themselves with people who are basically like themselves" (Brooks 62). When taking a deeper look, and basically breaking down the nation piece by piece, we see segregation that happens to go unnoticed. There are neighborhoods that have a reputation for being where "African Americans live," “Asians Live," "Caucasians live," "Mexicans live" etc. which is not a good thing. People tend to not go out of their comfort zone and expand on what they are used to, to try new things, which is usually only
The main purpose of the article by Matt Motyl titled, “Liberals and conservatives are (geographically) dividing” is that political parties’ affiliations are dividing the U.S. This can be seen through the locations many Americans live such as liberals going to more urban areas as opposed to the conservatives to go to less populated areas in rural states (Motyl, 2014). The author uses the Ideological Enclavement Theory to explain the division of people in the U.S through ideological-segregated enclaves (Motyl, 2014).
America has always been associated with the idea of being filled with diversity and for the most part that is true. We are diverse in culture, ethnicity, religion, politics, income, character, and in many other ways. But when you bring us together we aren’t unified and as truly diverse as others might believe. “…what I have seen all around the country is people making strenuous efforts to group themselves with people who are basically like themselves” (Brooks 261). I agree with this statement because, it’s accurate in the sense that we tend to place ourselves in groups that we have more in common with just because it’s easier. It would be harder to join a group that welcomes you with contradiction and protest, than it would be to
In the United States we are divided by the left and right side on the political spectrum; even further divided into political parties such as Republicans, on the right, and Democrats, on the left side. These two political parties show philosophical differences through their viewpoints on major topics such as the economy, separation of church and state, abortion, and gun control.
The United States, often referred to as a “melting pot,” is known for its extensive cultures. This paramount aspect of the Unites States makes it so unique yet it also happens to be the center of its many conflicts. America, although seemingly doubtful due to the vast amount of cultures and people, has been able to withstand conflicts and adversities because Americans have been able to learn from the country’s past and find a way to use their differences to come together.
As a young American, and a very critical one at that, I believe that America is on a path to chaos. There may have been or may be a chance at some point in America’s long timeline where unity through diversity could be achieved in reality- that’s the principal this county was founded on after all- but the minds and hearts of the American people have never really been open to the idea. There is so much hatred and fear for people of other cultures in America that I honestly do not believe that America as a nation can ever become truly socially unified. Our citizens and government like to claim that we are a country where people of all kinds and cultures can come and be prosperous; live as they please, do as they please, be who they please, but from what I have seen in my short 19 years as an American I do not believe that to be entirely true.