Political Polarization and "Culture War" Issues
Political Polarization and "Culture War" Issues
Supervised by: Prof. Justin Phillips, Department of Political Science, Columbia University
Background
The Political Polarization and "Culture Issues" project aims to uncover the evolution of political polarization in the U.S. Key issues being researched include gay rights and reproductive rights. The project utilizes a robust and extensive dataset composed of state party platforms, archival accounts of state party conventions, public opinion data, legislative roll call votes, and more. By leveraging this data, we can approximate the interactions of different variables to discern what truly drove party positions at the state level.
The application of this research is particularly relevant today. The overturning of Roe v. Wade has been distressing for many Americans, and an accurate timeline of the evolution of reproductive rights is essential for movements seeking to re-establish such rights. This research will not only shed light on how voters have historically made their voices heard but could also provide a template for current citizens to better utilize their political influence.
Research Questions
- How did young activists shape Democratic party reform at the state-level?
- What key factors influenced party views on reproductive rights?
Objectives
I look forward to crafting my case study of North Carolina. I hope to discern any unique factors at play within the state. Additionally, I will utilize my access to the data set to refine my own analysis.
Methodology
- Data set analysis
- Data collection
- Independent research of North Carolina's party developments.
- Statistical analysis of relevant variables
Hi, I am a member of Columbia University's Class of 2027. I am passionate about topics at the intersection between economics and political science, my scope is usually focused on the U.S. but I am excited to gain a more international perspective!
I have lived most of my life in the South of the U.S. and I am very proud to come from a Hispanic cultural background. In my free time, I enjoy exploring New York City or relaxing in my room with a good book (my current favorite author is Ocean Vuong).
Please reach out if my work interests you! I would love to discuss it and any related topics.
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Evangeline, your research on political polarization and “culture war” issues, especially in North Carolina, is truly intriguing! It’s inspiring to see your dedication to uncovering the factors behind party positions on critical issues like reproductive rights. It's so relevant in today’s political climate--very excited to see the insights you’ll uncover.