The Rise of Culture Wars in America

There has been a significant increase in the prevalence of culture wars within American society, particularly regarding issues surrounding education, political ideology, and social rights. For instance, recent legislation in various states has targeted transgender rights and abortion rights, highlighting the deep divisions within American culture and politics. Sociologist James Davison Hunter notes that the term 'culture wars' underscores the struggle over what it means to be American, with many groups feeling their very identity is under threat. This climate of conflict contributes to a political environment where authoritarian ideas become increasingly appealing to certain factions of society.