(Or: What is a long-run strategy for changing Red States to Blue States?)
There has always been tension between those that believe that society’s wealth should be distributed evenly and occasionally, disproportionably distributed to those with other non-monetary setbacks (e.g., special education for persons with disabilities, affirmative action, etc.) and those that believe in an absolutist adherence to individual responsibility and free markets in everything from goods, resources, ideas, and legal structures.
On the political compass, these extremes are statist and libertarian, with the other axis representing “social” issues or freedoms that range from liberal to conservative. This traditional political spectrum has liberals on one end, typically more secular in nature and more tolerant of other religions, sexual orientations, customs, etc. Conservatives take a “black and white,” “right or wrong,” “good versus evil” type of approach to thinking.
The key to coloring Kansas with a blue crayon is enabling self-identity to evolve from the “us versus them” mentality to a “we have common values: strong families, education for our children, hope for the future, security against injustices” and this will ultimately promote social cohesion.
My thoughts on “Purple America “– a dense population living is close quarters more likely to be forgiving of each other, a natural survival mechanism. The population will likely be even more liberal overall the less homogeneous it is. Liberal thinking and secularism go hand in hand.
Solution to ending the “Reign of the Red” and fostering a freer exchange of diverse opinions and ideas: Encourage more urbanization in the Red States; develop refugee/immigration programs in Red State cities to foster more cultural and socio-economic mixing. Encourage businesses both domestic and international to expand in “green fields” in Red States where Caucasian conservatives will work with and hopefully befriend people from different backgrounds thus eroding the “us versus them” mentality over time. For success, politicians must ensure the “they’re stealing our jobs” argument will be refuted by the “rising tides lift all boats” argument.
