The political spectrum of the United States is founded under four key political ideologies Liberalism, conservatisms, populist and Libertarians. The commonly applied ideas are those of liberals and conservatives. Therefore, since independence the political wave in the region is always a tussle between the liberals and the conservatives. Thus, the conservatives have a strong association or support with the Republican Party while the liberals gear towards promoting the Democratic Party. However, between 2004 and 2008, the American political culture has evidently been shifting towards the Liberal ideas therefore, changing the political wave in the region.
In 2004, Bush stand on foreign policy sparked the political change in the United States from conservatives’ thoughts to liberalism. For instance, the American political influence in other countries especially Iraq led to conflicts between United States and the involved countries. Frequent bombings including the September 2001 attacks were due to association with external affairs. Americans experienced large number of casualties due to the security, which had dwindled. Consequently, the Americans dissatisfaction with Bush leadership style prompted them to vote for a democrat leader who was promoting liberal ideas.
During his leadership, Bush sidelined the social welfare of the Americans for example, the tragic management of the hurricane Katrina. Secondly, the Bush administration distanced itself from the economy for instance, the growth of the real estate, the banking sector and the stock market, which terribly declined in value. Eventually, although in 2008 John McCain was the white presidential candidate but his association with the conservatism or Republic Party made him to lose. The American political culture was gearing towards leaders who promote not only tolerate ideas but also progressive leadership (Bowman and Hunter par.2). The change in the Americans politics led to the election of Barrack Obama who was not only an African American but also a strong supporter of liberalism.
In addition, poor social practices promoted by the Republicans whose major political campaigns concentrated on security rather than social and economic growth, motivated Americans to shift towards democratic ideas. The diversity of American social culture, which consists of many minority groups like Hispanic, blacks, African-America, gays, rich and poor among others needed the support of their social welfare and not security (Eckstein 792). Therefore, in 2008 the Democratic Party decided to promote ideas regarding health bill, education and legalizing of gay marriage among other controversial aspects. Moreover, the large number of minorities and youths who are in support of social welfare changed the political scene during the 2008 elections (CNN). Similarly, whilst Barrack Obama has struggled to promote liberals ideas by calling for legalization of gay marriage and withdrawal of American forces from Iraq, the 2012 elections also seem to be in support of the Democratic Party.
In brief, initially, Americans were in support of the conservatism but the decline in the social and economic welfare of the region especially among the minorities sparked a political change. Between 2004 and 2008, Bush concentrated on the security level of the United States, an aspect that led him to establish a strong foreign policy. However, his decision not to associate with the social and economic growth of the Americans especially the minority groups changed the political motives of the people. The entrance of Obama in 2008 with his liberal ideas on control of social welfare and economy of the Americans may also push for his victory in the 2012 elections.
Works Cited
Bowman Carl and Hunter James. Preface: Politics and Political Culture: The Critical Difference.
Institute for advanced studies in culture, university of Virginia, 2000. Web. 6 Sep. 2012.
Eckstein, Harry. “A Culturalist Theory of Political Change.” The American Political Science
Review, 82. 3. (1988): 789-804. Print
“My election.” Cnn.com, n.d. Web. 6 Sep. 2012.
