Political Volatility in the United States: How Racial and Religious Groups Win and Lose

The book explores the sudden shift from the election of Barack Obama and the post-racial hope to the racial confrontations in the Trump era, questioning why such a significant volatile swing occurred in such a short period of time. It proposes a systemic model for understanding how political volatility in the U.S. has been rooted in two competing racial and religious groupings, grounded in white supremacy and egalitarianism, which have collided, contested, and facilitated the configuration and reconfiguration of the atomic political structure. The antagonism between these groups has led to a history of political volatility in the United States, challenging the simplistic view of racial and religious hierarchy and providing an account rooted in structural tensions, strategic imperatives, opportunities, and threats on collective actions.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 244 pages
Publication date: 15 September 2023
Publisher: Lexington Books

The transition from Barack Obama's election and the era of post-racial hope to the racial confrontations of the Trump era raises a crucial question: How did such a significant and volatile shift occur in such a short period of time? In times of political uncertainty, ambiguity reigns supreme. This book seeks to present a comprehensive systemic model for understanding the origins of political volatility throughout the history of the United States. It explores the interplay between two competing racial and religious groupings: those grounded in white supremacy and egalitarianism. These groupings have clashed, contested, and played a pivotal role in shaping and reconfiguring the very fabric of the American political landscape.

As this book demonstrates, the antagonism between these two identity groupings has been a driving force behind a history of political volatility in the United States. Contrary to the notion of endless "political deadlocks" proposed by scholars of American political development, this book offers a deeper understanding of how and why these two orders persist, reach peaks of volatility, and occasionally one temporarily gains prominence over the other.

Going beyond the simplistic view of racial and religious hierarchy, this book provides an account rooted in structural tensions, strategic imperatives, opportunities, and threats to collective actions. By examining these factors, the book sheds light on the complex dynamics that have shaped American politics and contributed to its ongoing volatility.

In conclusion, the transition from the election of Barack Obama and the era of post-racial hope to the racial confrontations of the Trump era highlights the enduring power of racial and religious divisions in American society. This book offers a valuable contribution to our understanding of these dynamics by providing a systemic framework for analyzing the origins and consequences of political volatility. As we navigate the challenges of the present and future, it is essential to engage with these issues with empathy, understanding, and a commitment to promoting unity and progress.

Weight: 390g
Dimension: 230 x 154 x 15 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781793651303