Where Does the Anger Come From?
“We are living in a time where things have become more toxic, more violent, and uglier. We seem to be in the midst of profound social and political upheaval—and in an era where social media has turned into a sewer.”
… The United States is currently a country full of drama, intense passions, and conflict.” (David Shribman). But where does the anger come from? According to Creary, it stems from five key factors:
- The urban-rural divide: Economic hardships in rural areas worsen the divide with urban centers.
- Religious differences: These manifest strongly, with conservative religious voters rejecting the progressive values championed by Democrats.
- Educational disparities: Those with lower levels of education, feeling a sense of downward mobility, increasingly align with Republicans.
- Racial tensions: Exacerbated by perceptions of discrimination and inequality, with each side interpreting racial issues through very different lenses.
- Polarization: Intensified by the clash between factual truths and alternative realities, as social media and biased information shape divergent perceptions of reality.
Conclusion: Bipartisan dialogue is becoming increasingly difficult—if not impossible. The coming weeks will tell.
To go further
“ Autopsie de la polarisation de l’électorat américain ” by Tom Creary, Les Affaires october 2024 and “ The U.S. is in a period of unusual turmoil ” by David Schribman, Globe & Mail, sept. 2024.
© Copyright Business Digest - All rights reserved
