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A Study of the Cultural Roots Behind the Post-Presidential Political Division in the United States

Christian Oh

University of California, Davis

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Cover Memo

After reading the feedback from my last revision of this paper, I did some tweaking in various

parts. First of all, I edited the abstract to show my own contribution to this subject as I should

have before. I also revised many of the sources utilized throughout in order to find ones less

biased towards each party. In my methodology, I improved the way I explained how I utilized

the data and information gathered, as before I simply just stated I acquired data. Instead, I

explained how I observed and analyzed the data in order to come up with results. Furthermore, I

again utilized the paramedic method to not only remove unnecessary words/content, but also to

make room for new content that contributes more to the research.

Abstract

There have been previous periods of political division, but this new period of polarization

has been the most significant in years. While this surge and increase in division has been

growing and accumulating over the past decade, the root is undoubtedly connected to the 2016

Presidential Election of Donald Trump. Because of his controversial nature and overall

seemingly distasteful reception to the general public, this has led to massive backlash due to his

previous comments and proposed policies that members from the left and even the right have

deemed as racist, sexist, and xenophobic. Following the election, there have been riots, protests,

attacks, and even killings. This is probably the most divided America has ever been in any of our

lifetimes. While there is a general spirit among the American people that the “other side” is the

way they are because of selfish motivations or malicious intent (Fingerhut, 2016), there could

possibly be more to this. What if it is the cultural backgrounds of others that influence political
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beliefs? What if the upbringing and identities that people associate themselves with is what

influences people to form their values?

Methodology

Virtually all data gathered on this research paper was acquired from internet articles,

databases, and a few interviews. The subjects interviewed were people who affiliated with either

side, but not in the middle in an effort to receive information from the most polarized individuals

that are apparently causing this division. Each subject interviewed were those that associated

themselves with the respective identity being discussed. By documenting and analyzing the

cultural behaviors and the backgrounds and demographics of the left and right as well, I was able

to break down their identities into several key components. The among the demographics and

their political identity was compared with the key issues and factors that each party supports to

see if identity correlates with political party. The main focus of this research was analyzing how

the backgrounds of people shape their political identity. Identity is a very crucial component in

analyzing the political views of a person as it derives itself from several social, economic, and

racial backgrounds of a person. Identity is important because it is what differentiates themselves

from other people or groups. Without a sense of identity, people are no different from anyone

else. When people categorize themselves with a certain identity, whether it be with a particular

race, religion, gender, nationality, etc., they become attached to it. Additionally, people tend to

emphasize and prioritize the identities they feel are more important to them. I’ve chosen to

analyze three identities that play a factor in shaping one’s political identity: sexuality, race, and

class.

Gender and Sexuality

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The first factor, gender and sexuality, is an obvious component of shaping political

identity, especially today, with the recent progression of LGBT and women’s rights in past years.

Following the several Cultural Revolutions in the 1960s, women have started to progressively

vote Democrat (Chaturvedi, 2016). This is likely due to the fact that modern Democrats tend to

support “women’s issues”, such as equal work and pay, education, and reproductive rights

(Tyson, 2018). Women across the country, including Republicans and even Republican senators

were abhorred by comments made by then-candidate Donald Trump a few months before his

presidency that were viewed sexist, further drawing support from him.

“​Donald Trump's behavior makes him unacceptable as a candidate for president, and I

won't vote for him.”

- Tweet by Rep. Senator (AL) Martha Roby

“I have withdrawn my short time in Congress to fighting for the most vulnerable in our

society. As a strong a vocal advocate of sex trafficking victims and assault, I must be true

to those survivors and myself and condemn the predatory and reprehensible comments of

Donald Trump. I withdraw my endorsement and call for Governor Pence to take the lead so

we can defeat Hillary Clinton”

-Tweet by Rep. Senator (MO) Ann Wagner

The comments, despite not necessarily representing Republican values, caused even more

distaste towards the party and Trump by many women and Democrats. Seeing that even

Republican women withdrew support demonstrates that these women emphasize their gender

over their political identities, highlighting that the views of different issues between the two

parties may not be as two sided as they seem.

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Transgender issues and rights are also factors in political identity. Like with women,

Democrats also tend to favor the rights of the LGBT community. On the other hand, Republicans

have tended to be more conservative and strict with LGBT rights, therefore losing much of the

community’s support. A 2016 poll highlighted that out of all Republicans, only 33% support

same sex marriage while 70% of democrats do, almost double (Mitchell, 2016). Vice President

Mike Pence’s alleged support of “electrical gay conversion therapy” has also caused members of

the LGBT community to fear Republican ideals more than ever. An interview I conducted from

an anonymous man who identifies as a homosexual expressed his opinion:

“I’m legitimately terrified now. As a gay man, never before in my have I felt my sexuality

and I has been more threatened. I’m aware that there are indeed bigger threats in other

nations, but for something like this to potentially happen in America? It’s outrageous.”

-Anonymous

However, there were some LGBT people who voted Republican and did not choose their

LGBT identity as a factor in voting. Some chose to vote Republican in favor of other issues such

as firearm rights, immigration, as well as their distaste for Hillary Clinton, who although favors

LGBT rights, have flip flopped on her stance through recent years, causing distrust. Furthermore,

LGBT people also voted for Trump due to the fear of Islam, specifically the proposition to bring

in more refugees from Muslim majority nations (O’ Hara, 2016). Because it is claimed verses in

the Quran permit the killing of homosexuals, and many nations with Sharia Law call for the

execution of LGBT people, many American LGBT people have found the proposed introduction

of Muslim refugees as a greater threat than Republicans.

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"...For ye practice your lusts on men in preference to women: ye are indeed a people

transgressing beyond bounds.... And we rained down on them a shower (of brimstone)"

-Quran (7:80-84)

While this Quran verse can be interpreted in many ways, some members of the LGBT

community along with many Republicans view this as the command to execute gays by stoning a

practice seen in some Muslim countries. In addition, the only nations that call for the execution

of the LGBT community are Muslim nations (Bearak & Cameron, 2016). Because this is enacted

by the governments of these nations, not just radical insurgents, this has caused LGBT members

to go against the potential introduction of people from these countries (O’Hara, 2016).

Nonetheless, all of these groups, women and LGBT, chose the side that they felt best fit the

preservation of their identity.

Race

Race and ethnicity has been undoubtedly one of the most controversial topics in

American politics throughout history. An article from Pew Research Center shows that 49% of

whites lean Republican while 80% of blacks, 65% of Asians, and 56% of Hispanics lean

Democrat. The increase of recent racial tensions have only further shifted each group to each

side. For those that have chosen to make race a key aspect of their identity, their political beliefs

were even more influenced.

In relation to Trump’s comments accused of racism towards Mexicans and other ethnic

minorities in the US, the majority of POC (people of color) voted Democrat over fear of

increased marginalization under a Trump Administration. While racism and white nationalism

are not exactly fundamental values of the GOP, it nonetheless drew support away. Despite this,
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there are indeed racists on both sides from all races, all with their own justifications for such

behavior and beliefs. For example, white supremacists relate their views to to nationalism and

superiority. They have chosen to strongly identify themselves with being white Americans. Their

people and culture is the only one that this “correct”. Ultimately, it is their attachment to their

identity and pride that causes them to become these nationalists. On the other hand, some POC

have also grown distasteful towards the other side. Some in fear of discrimination, have also

resorted to racist rhetoric, generalizing all whites as racist. Pertaining to how each race choses

their side, it all relates to the side they feel most benefits their most important concept of identity.

Because the Democratic Party sees race and ethnicity as an important concept in Americans,

more minorities will tend to choose Democrat (Bell, 2015). On the other hand, Republicans do

not view race as important, and therefore do not emphasize goals on helping marginalized

peoples, seeing it as a class issue instead (Sullivan, 2013). All in all, each side acts the way they

do to preserve their identity and culture.

Social Class and Wealth

The final factor that I will discuss that I’ve found shapes political ideology is class and

wealth. The struggle exists in the US between Democrats who favor social welfare and equality

in comparison to Republicans who value free market and self-reliance. Republicans, tend to

believe that wealth is acquired through hard word and perseverance, and those on the lower end

of the spectrum are simply not good at managing money. In comparison, Democrats tend to think

that the 1% or setting the rest back who are attempting to climb the system (Democrats.org). In

relation to class, especially the lower, some tend to identify with each class more because they

feel that the ability to rise is nearly impossible due to marginalization from the upper.
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Consequently, they make their class a key part of their identity because it is the only one they

feel they will ever be in without government intervention. In contrast, there are also members of

the lower class along with the majority of the upper-class (62%) who believe that it is indeed

possible to obtain wealth through hard work and perseverance, and that the use of government

aid is merely a way to achieve success without having to work for financial stability (Smith,

2017). This causes people to further identify with each side based on how feasible they believe

the attainment of wealth is, explaining why there are members of the rich, middle, and lower

class on both sides. Many Democrats believe that the rich aren’t taxed enough (Smith, 2017).

This causes rich and even middle class Republicans to reject this idea, as it will take a bigger

percentage of their wealth, and therefore identity, away from them. One individual who identifies

as left leaning gave her opinion:

“I don’t understand why the rich need be taxed for money they earned through hard work.

They earned their money fairly. In what way is the upper classes keeping people who are

simply bad at spending and saving money or working from attaining wealth? They have no

one else but themselves to blame for their economic condition”

-​Anonymous

This quotes correlates to why the rich tend to choose Republican, as they believe that their

wealth was earned, and it is not their job to aid others below them who do not earn their money,

equating poverty to laziness. Overall, they do not particularly identify with a certain class as they

believe it’s possible to change their status and identity of their class. Members of the lower class

on the other hand tend to choose Democrat, as their identity with the lower class seems to be all

that they can be without the use of government welfare (Horowitz, 2014). Richer Democrats in
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particular believe that their wealth was attained through privilege, and it is their job to

redistribute their wealth to help the marginalized (Smith. 2017). Each person chooses tends to

choose their side based on what they feel aligns with their conception of class. The rich tend to

choose Republican, because many of them feel that they had earned their wealth fairly. The poor

and middle class that emphasize their place in society tend to choose Democratic, as they feel

this will allow them to rise up from marginalization in an unjust system. Others that feel that

their class is not as fixed as it seems will choose Republican. Again, people will choose to

affiliate with the side that benefits their identity, in this case, class.

Discussion

A common theme found within these factors is that they all relate to the identity of the

people involved. The political views of one are shaped from a holistic group of cultural and

social concepts that combine into shaping their behavior, thoughts, and values. What is perceived

as “true” and “right” is generated from cultural background. Overall, one affiliates with the side

they feel will better preserve their sense of identity. To demonstrate, a majority of the LGBT

community supports the Democrats because they feel it will best allow them to continue living

the identity they please. In contrast, the rich 1% members of the Republican party chose their

affiliation to continue their wealthy lifestyle without intervention. People support others that

support their worldview and identity.

When this worldview or identity is threatened, resistance occurs. The increased tension

and division is a perfect example of how this scenario can play out. Due to Trump’s apparent

racist and sexist rhetoric, people have chosen to resist possible changes his institution would
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bring that would potentially destroy their identity or others. January 2017’s “Women’s March”,

February’s “Day Without Immigrants”, and Muslim travel ban protests were notable examples.

While most members from both sides have attempted to peacefully resist though peaceful

protest, many have also resorted to extreme methods such as assault, harassment, and

vandalization. Groups such as ANTIFA have claimed these methods necessary, as the only way

to combat hate groups is through force (Steakin, 2017). Yvette Felcara from the group “By Any

Means Necessary” defended the violence that occurred during the February 2017 UC Berkeley

protests, claiming that,

“The reality is that these people [Neo-Nazis] aren’t just putting forward their ideas. They’re

white supremacists that already murdered six Muslims just five days ago in Quebec…..We

have the right to defend ourselves and not only is it our right, it is our obligation.”

As evident in this quote, some have seriously taken Trump’s election as a legitimate threat to

their way of life, and feel that only violence resistance can stop it. Therefore, while some have

viewed peaceful resolution as a way to solve this conflict, others have taken to more extreme

methods. While we will not discuss the morality of this thought process, it is evident that people

with a strong connection to their identity and cultural background will be more inclined to

defend it. All in all, the increased violence and conflict following this election is more or less a

response to a cultural change being recognized by the American people.

Conclusion

The increased violence and division has undoubtedly lead to an increase in distaste and

coldheartedness for the opposite side. A study from Pew Research found that disaster for

Democrats and Republicans has risen to 91% and 86% in past 20 years respectively, almost
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double (Strauss, 2017). It also appears that this increased animosity has also caused an increase

in partisan politics, and therefore only the most negative and worst parts of one side’s aspects

and ideas are acknowledged. Overall, people have become less tolerant over the views of others,

even if they are not extreme. In many cases, others are automatically dismissed just for revealing

a certain affiliation. This relates to the concept of positive and negative identities, where

members find views that correlate to their party as desirable, and find opposing views as

undesirable. When doing so, they ignore the other cultural and social backgrounds that have

shaped the view of others, only seeing their own views as right. It appears that the affiliation

with an opposing side will automatically lead to dismissal from another group. With the recent

tensions and turmoil, people have grown more connected and affiliated with their party, causing

even more distaste. While some have seen this behavior as a necessary solution to combating

unjust laws and ideas, others have disregarded this as they feel it will only create more conflict

and division.
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