Project Director

Acuff, Christopher

Department Examiner

Strickler, Jeremy; Kuby, William, 1982-

Department

Dept. of Political Science, Public Administration and Nonprofit Management

Publisher

University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

Place of Publication

Chattanooga (Tenn.)

Abstract

The present study researches the background of culture wars within the United States and showcases how these culture wars are being utilized by political entrepreneurs in order to achieve a goal separate from resolving the expressed policy issue. In an effort to investigate this phenomenon, this paper analyzes the historical timeline of several prominent culture wars within the United States and then uses this background as a lens to examine the political successes and failures of two United States governors who attempted to utilize culture wars in order to advance themselves politically. By examining the rhetoric used by Ron DeSantis of Florida alongside Doug Burgum of North Dakota, as well as the subsequent results of their administrative actions in regard to the specific culture wars chosen for this paper, abortion and gender-affirming care, this paper intends to demonstrate the consequences of this continued utilization on the American public. In particular, how it is affecting distracting focus from systemic issues and eroding media literacy.

Acknowledgments

I would like to express my gratitude to the committee for their patience and faith in me. I am incredibly grateful for your support during this endeavor and am deeply appreciative for the time spent helping me shape this project into its final form. Without your aid and guidance, this undertaking would never have seen the light of day and for that I am eternally thankful. I am especially sincerely indebted to my advisor, Professor Chris Acuff, for his invaluable advice on the research and steady hand in steering me in the right direction. As a thoughtful instructor, you introduced me to avenues of research that I never would have considered otherwise. Thanks to your contributions, I was able to go above and beyond the original intentions for this study and push both it and myself much further than thought possible. I am also deeply indebted to my mother, who encouraged me at every step of the way of this venture. By celebrating my achievements and supporting me throughout my struggles during the course of not just this project, but my entire life, I have no doubts that I am where I am today thanks to you.

Degree

B. S.; An honors thesis submitted to the faculty of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the degree of Bachelor of Science.

Date

12-2024

Subject

Culture conflict--United States; Media literacy; Politics and culture--United States; Political ethics--United States

Keyword

transgender; culture war; abortion; political entrepreneurs; Ron DeSantis; media literacy

Discipline

American Politics

Document Type

Theses

Extent

ii, 50 leaves

DCMI Type

Text

Language

English

Rights

http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/

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