Introduction
Chapter 9, “Culture Wars” from What You Should Know about Politics…However, Do Not by Conrad (2012) comprehensively explains the controversial political and cultural differences in the United States. This chapter deals with the most controversial problems, including abortion, same-sex marriage, and stem cell research; it explains how these issues have led to a divided society in America. The analysis is along the lines of American Nations, which describes the U.S. as a country of several distinct cultural regions, each with its own values that significantly shape political opinions and policies. This relationship emphasizes political landscapes at the national level in terms of the impact of regional cultural identities.
Influence of Regional Identities on National Politics
In ‘American Nations,’ there is the understanding that regions have diverse backgrounds that range from the conservative “Deep South” to the liberal “Left Coast.” At the onset of the contentious issues that form part of the culture Wars,’ regional backgrounds often come into play in influencing regional stances. For instance, the religious zeal in the “Bible Belt” is generally conservative on issues such as abortion and same-sex marriage. Contrastingly, these more conservative areas, such as the northeastern and the west coast, often known for their liberal beliefs, favor progressive policies that include supporting issues such as same-sex marriage and abortion that are termed fundamental human and civil rights.
These regional differences are illuminated because they reflect the divisions and tribulations in creating nationwide policies. In particular, states that propose the stricter regulation of abortions conforming to one’s conservative view become confronted with the other party that seeks to maintain or even expand the availability of these health services. Therefore, this gap cannot be defined purely as politicians; it is culturally and ethically connected too. Therefore, this divide of regional allegiances highlights the significance of accepting these differences so that our policy solutions will better represent the various people who form the American nation.
Regarding this issue, the values of dignity and worth of the person, social justice, and relationships are addressed in the Code of Ethics of NASW, which is also of concern. The disagreements related to abortion activity and same-sex marriage proper rest on the social work principle of upholding the inalienable dignity and personal worth of individuals and seeking regulation of law that gives people the freedom to make their own decisions without a state’s meddling in their affairs (Conrad, 2012). The use of the principle of social justice is proposed when speaking about the right to services like abortion because there is a need to make sure that these services are available to those from socially disadvantaged backgrounds, regardless of their economy or where they come from.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the main point of Chapter 9, “Culture Wars,” of What You Should Know About Politics…However, Do not worry that a variety of regional diverse cultures substantially impact how America talks about politics on different controversial issues. The cognizance of American Nations is in favor of the notion that to manage and address these culture wars appropriately, the complex values of these regions should be respected and appreciated. The involvement of these differences with the codes of ethics of the NASW, particularly the values of human dignity, social justice, and human relationships, offers a platform for building policy frameworks that are inclusive and ethically appropriate. While America debates these moral issues, keeping these ethical principles in mind will ensure the existence of a society that respects and sees to it that every citizen can enjoy their rights and dignity, contributing to a more united and equal nation.
References
Conrad, J. (2012). What you should know about politics– but don’t: a nonpartisan guide to the issues that matter. Arcade Pub.
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