American Culture War-Myth Or Reality?

The contests between conflicting values and ideals on a series of highly chargedsocial issues including abortion, homosexuality and affirmative action in the UnitedStates in the past few decades have often been referred to as “culture war” incontemporary American society, which involves political debates, lobbies, campaigns,movement politics and legislation. Some believe that America is polarized in culturalvalues and politics manifested in culture wars while others contend that the culturewar is just a myth utilized by political elites and fueled by mass media.This thesis explores the religious roots and political backgrounds of the culturewar with a focus on the issues of abortion and homosexuality to reveal the ideologicalconfrontations and skirmishes between conservatives and liberals. Based on theexisting literature and public opinion polls, the thesis examines the stands of politicalelites and public opinion of Americans to explore the nature of culture war as a mythor reality. Public ideologies on the issues of abortion and homosexuality are revealedas opposed to those of culture war proponents.The thesis concludes that the culture war, from the early1990s to the present, hasbeen more of a myth than reality in that it does not extend deep into American publicopinion but exists more in the minds of political elites and journalists. America is farfrom deeply divided or polarized as portrayed by partisans and ideologically punditsdespite some conflicting values caused by ethical and religious diversity and culturalpluralism. Beneath the cleavages lies a broader common ground among ordinaryAmericans since majorities are moderate and public opinion has shifted in a moretolerant and nuanced direction even on such most divisive issues as abortion andhomosexuality. Behind the culture war are electoral concerns, interest groups andmedia politics.