Via Mark Thoma comes Hal Varian's fascinating paper, "Myths and Realities of American Political Geography"
Abstract
The division of America into red states and blue states misleadingly suggests that states are split into two camps, but along most dimensions, like political orientation, states are on a continuum. By historical standards, the number of swing states is not particularly low, and America’s cultural divisions are not increasing. But despite the flaws of the red state/blue state framework, it does contain two profound truths. First, the heterogeneity of beliefs and attitudes across the United States is enormous and has always been so. Second, political divisions are becoming increasingly religious and cultural. The rise of religious politics is not without precedent, but rather returns us to the pre-New Deal norm. Religious political divisions are so common because religious groups provide politicians the opportunity to send targeted messages that excite their base.
And from the data...
Gallons of wine sold per capita in 2002
| West Virginia | 0.79 |
| Mississippi | 0.89 |
| Oklahoma | 1.01 |
| Arkansas | 1.05 |
| Iowa | 1.07 |
| Massachusetts | 4.18 |
| Nevada | 4.70 |
| Idaho | 4.94 |
| New Hampshire | 5.34 |
| District of Columbia | 6.49 |
Proportion who agree "it's ok for blacks and whites to date"
| Kentucky | 0.35 |
| West Virginia | 0.40 |
| Tennessee | 0.41 |
| South Carolina | 0.43 |
| Alabama | 0.46 |
| Oregon | 0.77 |
| California | 0.77 |
| Delaware | 0.79 |
| Maine | 0.81 |
| District of Columbia | 0.88 |
10 comments:
Ami, why not add in the data that showed Reps do better in lower median income states and Dems do better in higher median income states? Good arguments can be made on both sides as to whether that's a good or bad sign for either side (Reps are supported by the little guy vs. Reps attract the uninformed, for example).
Personally, I look a little sideways at an interracial couple. Do I think anybody should stop them from dating/getting married? Absolutely not! Should I be allowed/encouraged to try and disrupt their relationship in any way. Not a chance. It's not my place to tell others who aren't impacting me in any significant way how to act.
Incidentally, I see a reference to wine, but not beer. Do you know if that was one of the questions asked or not? I imagine the curve would go in the opposite direction on that one.
"Personally, I look a little sideways at an interracial couple."
WHAT????? Are you kidding me? Just when I think I can't be shocked by anything you guys say anymore.
I thought the link to wine consumption was interesting. They're either suggesting that the blue states are more sophisticated (drinking wine instead of beer) or they're a bunch of wino's.
Seriously. Why do they think linking unrelated statistics has any meaning? Did you know that 82% of criminals have eaten tomatoes? Or that 100% of the people who have eaten tomatoes prior to 1890 have died?! (Look for an old essay titled "The Dread Tomato Addiction" if you care to know more.)
What makes them think that the 46% of people in Alabama who think interracial couples are OK vote Democrat? (The people who I've heard express disdain at the practice happen to be rabid Democrats.) These questions may have more meaning if there was a direct question to question linkage to those individuals that vote Democrat and those that vote Republican.
By the way, I do agree with their conclusions on the 5 myths. I just don't like them linking unrelated stats to prove a point.
Richard: Can you provide a little more insight into why you look a little sideways at interracial couples?
I don't have any more information on the study than the paper itself, and the rest of the questions are given on the second last page. Nothing about beer.
Brian: I think the point is more about cultural differences between red and blue states. Whether you think wine is sophisticated or not is a matter of opinion, the point is that it's a difference in culture.
Similarly, correlating the results with party affiliation isn't really the point, although I agree it would have been interesting.
... Ami.
lib,
Why are you shocked? The data shows that MOST people from the state north of Richard think interracial couples are not ok. This puts him in the same minority as you. (thinking it is ok) even if he does "look a little sideways". Heck even in DC, 12% don't think it is ok. (by their own addmission)
As for me, I know a handful of interracial couples. In each of them admit there is an additional culteral barrier that makes the relationship more work.
I personally "asked out" a girl (we were 16 at the time) who was of a different race. Her father forbid us to speak again. hmm.
Sure, Ami. I just think it's a odd. As I said, however, it's their life, and if they love each other (which in no way affects me), who am I to in any way stand inbetween them, be it through law, actions, words, or anything else.
Richard: But odd in what sense? I'm not trying to pin anything on you, just curious.
I'll admit that I often wonder about the old-white-guy+pretty-Thai-girl couples I sometimes see. Mostly in Thailand, but a few also in Finland.
Other than that I don't think I've ever thought twice about mixed couples. I suppose my own parents being mixed, and the neighbourhood where I grew up being extremely multi-ethnic has something to do with it.
And of course if I limited myself to the Indo-German-Canadian community living in Finland then I would have a pretty lonely life.
... Ami.
I wish I could be more descriptive, Ami. It just looks "odd" to me. For me, the old guy + pretty young girl (races of either aren't particularly relevant) seems pretty understandable (and fairly often wrong, probably). All I can say is I see them differently, but I have an equal right to interfere with either (meaning none).
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