The Gray Area with Sean Illing Jill Lepore on what I get wrong
Feb 6, 2020
Jill Lepore, a Harvard historian and New Yorker contributor, takes on tough questions about the foundations of political discourse with Sean Illing. They explore whether social science can genuinely help us understand polarization, dissect the evolution of party identities, and assess media's pivotal role in shaping political narratives. Lepore challenges traditional views, delving into the complexities of identity and ideology, while questioning the moral implications of social media engagement. It's a captivating discussion on the interplay between history, politics, and media.
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Mega-Identities
- American political identities have become mega-identities, encompassing various aspects of life.
- This shift is driven by the sorting of political parties by ideology and demography.
Disenfranchised as a Party
- Disenfranchised groups, historically excluded from voting, can be viewed as a political party.
- Their consistent political agenda and shared interests, like emancipation and enfranchisement, unite them.
Hidden Conflict
- Mid-20th century American politics, seemingly depolarized, was actually rife with conflict.
- This conflict manifested in society rather than politics due to suppression, particularly around racial issues.
