Identity Political Culture and the Tea Party Movement: An Anthropology of Right-Wing Populism in the United States

Back to America: Identity, Political Culture, and the Tea Party Movement (Anthropology of Contemporary North America)

by Gianni Dragoni

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1341 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	233 pages
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The Tea Party movement emerged in the United States in the early 2000s as a conservative grassroots movement that opposed government spending and taxation. The movement quickly gained momentum and became a significant force in American politics, playing a key role in the election of conservative candidates in the 2010 midterm elections.

Scholars have extensively studied the Tea Party movement, focusing on its political ideology, organizational structure, and impact on American democracy. However, less attention has been paid to the movement's cultural dimensions and particularly to the role of identity politics in shaping the movement's worldview and mobilizing its supporters.

This article draws on ethnographic research conducted among Tea Party activists in the United States to explore the movement's identity political culture. The research involved participant observation at Tea Party rallies and meetings, in-depth interviews with movement activists, and analysis of movement discourse.

Identity Politics and the Tea Party Movement

Identity politics refers to the political mobilization of people based on their shared social identities, such as race, gender, religion, or sexual orientation. Identity politics can be used to advance the interests of marginalized groups or to promote social change.

The Tea Party movement is not explicitly based on identity politics. However, the movement has attracted a diverse group of supporters, many of whom feel that their cultural identity is under threat from a changing social and political landscape.

One of the most significant elements of Tea Party identity is the belief that the United States is a Christian nation. Many Tea Party activists believe that the government is encroaching on their religious freedom and that the country is abandoning its Christian heritage.

For example, one Tea Party activist I interviewed stated: "This country was founded on Christian principles. And now, we're seeing those principles being eroded. We're seeing the government trying to tell us what we can and cannot believe."

Another element of Tea Party identity is the belief that the United States is a nation founded on individual liberty. Many Tea Party activists believe that the government is overstepping its bounds and infringing on their personal freedom.

For example, one Tea Party activist I interviewed stated: "I believe in the Constitution. I believe in individual liberty. And I believe that the government is too big and too powerful."

The Tea Party movement's identity political culture is evident in its rhetoric, its symbols, and its mobilization strategies. Tea Party activists often use language that appeals to white Christian voters, and they frequently invoke symbols of American patriotism, such as the flag and the Constitution.

The movement has also been successful in mobilizing supporters by tapping into their sense of cultural grievance and their fear that their way of life is under threat.

The Rise of Right-Wing Populism

The Tea Party movement is part of a broader trend of right-wing populism that has emerged in the United States and other Western countries in recent years. Right-wing populism is a political ideology that combines nationalism, nativism, and anti-elitism.

Right-wing populists often appeal to the fears and grievances of ordinary people, and they often present themselves as champions of the common man against a corrupt elite.

The Tea Party movement shares many features with other right-wing populist movements around the world. For example, the movement is characterized by its anti-establishment rhetoric, its emphasis on national identity, and its opposition to immigration.

The rise of right-wing populism is a complex phenomenon that has been attributed to a variety of factors, including economic inequality, social change, and the decline of traditional values.

The Tea Party movement is a significant force in American politics. The movement is driven by a powerful identity political culture that appeals to the fears and grievances of white Christian voters.

The Tea Party movement is part of a broader trend of right-wing populism that has emerged in the United States and other Western countries in recent years. Right-wing populism is a dangerous ideology that threatens democratic values and social cohesion.

It is important to understand the cultural dimensions of the Tea Party movement in order to develop effective strategies to counter its influence. By understanding the movement's identity political culture, we can better understand its appeal and develop strategies to promote a more inclusive and democratic society.

Back to America: Identity, Political Culture, and the Tea Party Movement (Anthropology of Contemporary North America)

by Gianni Dragoni

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1341 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	233 pages
Lending	:	Enabled
X-Ray for textbooks	:	Enabled

FREE