Chapter 2 - The Dixiecrat Dilemma Flashcards
What is the main point or purpose of Chapter 2 in Why We’re Polarized?
Klein traces how the Democratic Party’s alliance with the segregationist Dixiecrats delayed ideological sorting for decades. Once the Democrats embraced civil rights and the Dixiecrats defected, the parties began a massive ideological and demographic realignment, setting the stage for today’s polarization.
Who were the Dixiecrats and what role did they play in American politics?
Dixiecrats were Southern Democrats who supported segregation and one-party rule in the South. They provided votes for national Democrats in exchange for autonomy to enforce white supremacy at home.
Why did Strom Thurmond’s 1957 filibuster matter symbolically more than politically?
Though ineffective in stopping civil rights legislation, it publicly showcased Thurmond’s defense of segregation, elevating his profile and exposing the tension between personal ambition and Southern unity.
How did the Democratic Party’s alliance with the Dixiecrats undermine democracy?
The alliance allowed authoritarian rule in the South, where Black citizens were disenfranchised through legal and violent means while Dixiecrats gained seniority and power in Congress.
What was the significance of the 1964 Civil Rights Act in party realignment?
It marked the beginning of the South’s break with the Democratic Party. Though many Republicans voted for it, Barry Goldwater’s opposition reshaped the GOP as a home for white Southern conservatives.
Why didn’t Republicans become the party of civil rights despite strong support in 1964?
Goldwater’s opposition to the Civil Rights Act signaled a shift in Republican ideology, attracting segregationist Southern voters and undermining the GOP’s civil rights legacy.
What does Klein mean when he says “polarization is not extremism, but it is sorting”?
Polarization refers to ideological clarity and alignment—not necessarily radicalism. Sorting means people with similar beliefs now cluster into the same party, increasing tension but not always extremity.
How does Klein differentiate between “issue-based” and “identity-based” polarization?
Issue-based polarization focuses on specific policy differences; identity-based polarization aligns party affiliation with race, religion, geography, and personality traits, intensifying political division.
What role did psychology play in party sorting, according to research?
Personality traits like openness to experience or conscientiousness align with liberal or conservative politics, and politically engaged people tend to cluster into parties that match their psychological outlook.
What is the “density divide” and how does it contribute to polarization?
Urban areas lean Democratic and rural areas lean Republican. This geographic sorting reflects deeper lifestyle and psychological preferences, creating political enclaves.
What does the Whole Foods vs. Cracker Barrel comparison illustrate?
It shows how consumer and lifestyle choices mirror political identities—Whole Foods appeals to openness and liberalism, while Cracker Barrel aligns with tradition and conservatism.
How has the shift from transactional to identity-based politics changed voter behavior?
For politically engaged citizens, politics is no longer just about policies but self-expression. This makes compromise harder and identity threats more potent, fueling deeper polarization.
