Read this column from the NYTIMES by Nobel laureate (Economics) Paul Krugman: don't worry, there are no complicated calculations.
LINK opens in a new window.
Stay away from purely POLITICAL comments.
FOCUS on the articulate discussion PK starts on the relevance of "belonging" to socio-ethnic tribes in this very contemporary America. You should also read some of the readers' comments (I choose Readers' Picks - very smart and acute remarks: they are a lesson on how to read, interpret and comment.)
COMMENT: did this article add anything to your understanding of social dynamics in our nation? Were the political implication of TRIBE part of your perspective before reading this article?
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ReplyDeleteThis article for me reinforced the issue of the social dynamics in this nation. If we like to admit it or not the social dynamic of individuals and who they relate to has a tremendous impact in elections. As individualistic as we try to be here in America there is still the problem of generalizing ourselves into tribes. The political implication of tribes was not part of my perspective at first but after this article it has me critically thinking about the issue more. Staying away form the political issues this article brings forth I do believe America has come a long way in terms of equality. As we have seen there was once a time not long ago that Italian Americans were not accepted in society, and now more or less they are not categorized at all. One can only hope that the masses will accept the new age of America and strive for equality amongst all.
ReplyDeleteThis article did add to my understanding of social dynamics in our nation. I knew that social dynamics play an important role in presidential elections, but I did not know how greatly its impact is. One of the most important thing I understood is that Democrats and Republicans have particular group of voters. These voters base their decision purely on social group they belong to. This includes earnings, race, ethnicity, religion, and etc. Elections are not free of these factors. People think of themselves as being a part of certain tribe and they vote based on that. People might realize this but still vote based on tribes.
ReplyDeleteSocial dynamics play a major role in our nation especially in this time when we are in the middle of choosing a new president. The article explains the impact of social dynamics in the elections and the difference between Republican and Democratic parties. Race also has to do a lot with the voters in each party and the individuals who actually run for president. There are many things to take into consideration during an election and social dynamics is a major one. Through the years many things have changed and many things keep changing; for example black individuals used to never be able to vote or run for office, now we have a black president. Also women used to be considered much lower than men in society but now Hilary Clinton is running for president. Things have changed but social dynamics, race and religion all have to do with how people vote.
ReplyDeleteI do agree that social dynamics is important to our society. Especially in the terms of elections, voters vote for the candidate they can relate to most. Voters take many things into consideration but the most influential factor is how or what the candidate does will impact them. This also relates back to "tribes" and to which individuals belong.
ReplyDeleteAs Paul Krugman stated in the article, "I wish I could say that it will be a battle of ideas. But it mostly won’t, and not just because Mr. Trump doesn’t have any coherent policy ideas.
ReplyDeleteNo, this is going to be mostly an election about identity." Our identity is what impacts what "tribe" we consider ourselves part of. How one identifies themselves affects their lifestyle and decisions they will make. Therefore, an election is impacted on identity. People will vote based on how it will benefit their tribe.
We are part of a tribe based on who we are. A tribe is a group of people who have similar identities and how they want to live together. Individuals vote based on how they feel and whose ideas they agree with.
DeleteSo many things factor into a person's vote. It could be gender, race, and political view. Or plainly who they "feel" comfortable with.
DeleteThis article did in fact add to my understanding of social dynamics in this country. I was aware that class and race played a great part in the elections, but I wasn't aware of this "horizontal inequality" definition, and how important it is to consider especially when talking about the elections. The political implication of "tribe" has never entered my mind, but after reading this, and after our look into what makes a tribe, it makes a lot of sense to me now, as to where the elections are headed.
ReplyDeleteIt would make sense, but I find it difficult to believe that tribes would vote against their own personal, individual interests because they believe their tribe would or should vote one way. It doesn't inherently matter that someone is say Jewish, and they have Conservative values, but won't be voting Republican because many Republicans are becoming vocally anti-Semitic. It should be based around what one individually feels. But I suppose it doesn't matter as much as I thought, according to the article.
ReplyDeleteI would like to think I had an understanding of social dynamics in the States before reading this article. It seems like something that is inherently obvious on some level, but I do think Paul Krugman laid it out in a very clear way that made it an interesting read. Political implications of TRIBE are particularly interesting in this election because I have never seen candidates so divided on issues having to do with race, religion, etc. It is almost as if this election has forced people to openly identify with their tribes, whatever they may be.
ReplyDeleteThis election is diving people and I like what you said about people being forced to identify with their tribe. I think it's bringing people together that wouldn't normally be considered in the same tribe, and being able to share a common purpose.
DeleteThis election is diving people and I like what you said about people being forced to identify with their tribe. I think it's bringing people together that wouldn't normally be considered in the same tribe, and being able to share a common purpose.
DeleteThis article added to my understanding about social dynamics in our country. This election is going to be strongly based on group identity and how individuals feel towards members outside of their tribe. In most cases, people do not have a strong liking for members who do not belong in their group and I feel that this should not be the case in politics. This country struggled with issue of equality several years ago. We fought against it and came together to help spread equal rights, or what we thought were equal rights. Race and group identity being a major issue in this election is causing this nation to go right back to the start of inequality issues.
ReplyDeleteThis article really enforced the idea behind tribes in social dynamics. With this political race I think many people of all different ethnicities and races are coming together as a tribe. I have seen people from different age groups and races unite to serve a purpose. This article made me understand more of how a tribe does not have to be just people who speak the same language or have the same ethnicity, but people who come and unite, no matter the difference, to be able to make something great and life changing. This political race is so divided that people are forming tribes without realizing it.
ReplyDeleteSocial Dynamics in the country is definitely a major motivator in this article. To understand a political campaign is to understand how different cultures work. A tribe is also an economic group. There are arguments that promote the idea that poverty has it's own culture. Which is believable due to wealth having it's own culture. There are certain "socially acceptable" things that one may do in a richer environment and socially acceptable things one may do in a poorer environment believe it or not. Therefore due to this fact, the culture that a presidental candidate represents or seem most appealing due to the country's views and movements at a given moment is what could push a campaign forward. Feminism believe it or not could push Hillary's campaign because there is a movement with women empowerment. Though that is arguable thats solely the reason one must understand how cultures work in politics in order to push forward a good race.
ReplyDeleteSocial Dynamics in the country is definitely a major motivator in this article. To understand a political campaign is to understand how different cultures work. A tribe is also an economic group. There are arguments that promote the idea that poverty has it's own culture. Which is believable due to wealth having it's own culture. There are certain "socially acceptable" things that one may do in a richer environment and socially acceptable things one may do in a poorer environment believe it or not. Therefore due to this fact, the culture that a presidental candidate represents or seem most appealing due to the country's views and movements at a given moment is what could push a campaign forward. Feminism believe it or not could push Hillary's campaign because there is a movement with women empowerment. Though that is arguable thats solely the reason one must understand how cultures work in politics in order to push forward a good race.
ReplyDeleteTrumps ability to say something offensive to anyone and anything that can get offended has done a lot to highlight the various social dynamics present in this country. This article helped bring some clarity to the phenomenon of outspoken and affronted groups of American voters and citizens. Not only have our political parties fractured further and further into staunch devisions but the candidates have become not about issues, but personalities as the article points out. This is an election of identities between the angry white conservatives past and the racially diverse progressive future. Tribe endorsement and sentiment will succeed in selecting our next president.
ReplyDeleteI agreed with some aspects of the article. For example, the part referring to people needing to be apart of a group and it being human nature is a huge reflection on today's world. I did go in unbiased and not include political suggestions as to prevent the clouding of my judgement. The masses coming together and agreeing on a particular issue happens everyday. When people log on to social media to bash a celebrity/athlete, the highest comment is based on people voting/agreeing with it and further proving that people don't like to feel alone in their thoughts. We want people to share the same ideas we have to not seem so divided among society. The tribe prevails.
ReplyDeleteThis article adds to my understanding that social dynamics plays an important and huge to our nation. It shows you how much need to be apart of a group or tribe and how you need to "apart of the right group" to fit in social norms and society.
ReplyDeleteThis article definitely open my mind more about social dynamics. Race and personal beliefs takes a high roll in election voting. Trump for an example is a very outspoken person that tends to attack people with words. His actions are liked by many people that respect outspoken people, that doesn't hide anything and that are honest. Or just want a different kind of president. I definitely agree election is about identity.
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