I'd really recommend you read American Nations: A History of the Eleven Rival Regional Cultures of North America, by Colin Woodard. I think the explanation of the Appalachian region in that book will be eye opening. (I found the whole book incredibly enlightening and think it's the best analysis of our nation and its history I've ever read.) In short, the region was settled mainly by people from the war-torn border regions of Scotland (and some of Ireland) that tended (for good historical reasons) not to trust anyone. Their loyalties were strictly centered on vast extended family networks. Many people had/have little use for government and so have little interest in it.
That looks like there could be a strong correlation with geography? As if few people living in the Appalachian Mountain range bother to vote?
ReplyDeleteI'd really recommend you read American Nations: A History of the Eleven Rival Regional Cultures of North America, by Colin Woodard. I think the explanation of the Appalachian region in that book will be eye opening. (I found the whole book incredibly enlightening and think it's the best analysis of our nation and its history I've ever read.) In short, the region was settled mainly by people from the war-torn border regions of Scotland (and some of Ireland) that tended (for good historical reasons) not to trust anyone. Their loyalties were strictly centered on vast extended family networks. Many people had/have little use for government and so have little interest in it.
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