Southernization

The idea of southernization comes from the observation that "Southern" values and beliefs are increasingly taking over the national dialogue in the United States of America. North-American commentators and journalists began using the term in the late 2000s to describe the ongoing cultural changes.

Description

Apart from an arguable suspicion of any form of intellectualism, values and beliefs that are often ascribed to the American South include religion (i.e., creationism/intelligent design) and patriotism. Besides the cultural influence, many say that the South has infiltrated the national political stage. In 1992 the winning presidential ticket consisted of the Governor of Arkansas, Bill Clinton and a Senator from Tennessee, Al Gore. Meanwhile the Republican Party underwent their own southernization when more and more Republican leaders called for a low-wage, low-tax, low-investment industrial society.

Today, the American South has more electoral votes than ever, due to an increase in population. Their increasing influence, however, goes beyond that. Liberal commentators say that "Southernism" has gained prominence under the George W. Bush presidency. They accredit many concepts such as the new frontierism and jingoism as well as anti-abortionism or anti-international trade sentiments to the American South.

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