In a campaign ad aired in early 2004 by the conservative Club for Growth, Democratic
presidential candidate Howard Dean, the former governor of Vermont, was scolded by two
supposedly average American people who advised him to “[…] take his tax-hiking,
government-expanding, latte-drinking, sushi-eating, Volvo-driving, New York Timesreading,
body-piercing, Hollywood-loving, left-wing freak show back to Vermont, where it
belongs.” The quote became quite famous for it apparently hit the nail on the head with its
characterization of the divide between conservative and liberal America, the latter being
perfectly epitomized by the state of Vermont.
While the dramatic exaggerations of campaign ads are rarely based on facts but on
feelings, the notion that politics in Vermont are decidedly liberal still prevails among
Americans and observers from abroad. They are supported by such facts as a self-declared
democratic socialist, Bernie Sanders, being elected United States senator in 2006, after
already having served as a member of the House for 15 years. Sanders defeated his
Republican opponent by an impressive 2-to-1 margin in the 2006 midterm elections. Voting
records and public opinion polls on issues such as gay marriage or environmental issues
indeed suggest that Vermont is not only a stronghold for the Democratic Party, but for liberal
ideology in all its forms.
Even though everyone seems to acknowledge that Vermont is a liberal state, one
crucial question has not yet been given much attention by media outlets and researchers alike:
Why is it, that Vermont is so liberal? In fact, it seems quite puzzling that such a small, rural,
and landlocked state should be a stronghold of cosmopolitanism and political awareness. This
research paper therefore intends to analyze whether political liberalism is in fact a prevalent
political view in Vermont and, if so, why.
Table of Contents
1 Introduction
1.1 The Puzzle and Hypothesis
1.2 Methodology
2 Theoretical Background: Liberalism in the American Context
3 Liberalism in Vermont
3.1 History of Liberalism in Vermont
3.2 Bernie Sanders and the Phenomenon of Socialism in Vermont
3.3 The 2006 Midterm Elections
3.4 Interim Conclusion
4 Explaining Liberalism in Vermont
4.1 Political History of the State
4.2 Political Culture within the State
4.3 Laws that provide a legitimating effect to one side of a public opinion issue
4.4 Migration patterns to and from the state and current state demographics
5 Conclusion and Perspectives for 2008
Objectives and Key Themes
This research paper investigates the phenomenon of political liberalism in Vermont to determine why the state is recognized as a unique stronghold for liberal ideology, despite its rural and small-scale character. By analyzing the state's political climate and historical trajectory, the paper seeks to evaluate the prevalence of these views and the factors that sustain them.
- The definition and evolution of liberalism in the American political context.
- The historical independence of Vermont and its influence on current political culture.
- The emergence and success of Bernie Sanders as a socialist figure in Vermont politics.
- Correlation between state demographics, migration, and liberal voting behavior.
- The role of specific state laws in legitimizing liberal policy positions.
Excerpt from the Book
1.1 The Puzzle and Hypothesis
In a campaign ad aired in early 2004 by the conservative Club for Growth, Democratic presidential candidate Howard Dean, the former governor of Vermont, was scolded by two supposedly average American people who advised him to “[…] take his tax-hiking, government-expanding, latte-drinking, sushi-eating, Volvo-driving, New York Times-reading, body-piercing, Hollywood-loving, left-wing freak show back to Vermont, where it belongs.”1 The quote became quite famous for it apparently hit the nail on the head with its characterization of the divide between conservative and liberal America, the latter being perfectly epitomized by the state of Vermont.
While the dramatic exaggerations of campaign ads are rarely based on facts but on feelings, the notion that politics in Vermont are decidedly liberal still prevails among Americans and observers from abroad. They are supported by such facts as a self-declared democratic socialist, Bernie Sanders, being elected United States senator in 2006, after already having served as a member of the House for 15 years. Sanders defeated his Republican opponent by an impressive 2-to-1 margin in the 2006 midterm elections. Voting records and public opinion polls on issues such as gay marriage or environmental issues indeed suggest that Vermont is not only a stronghold for the Democratic Party, but for liberal ideology in all its forms.
Even though everyone seems to acknowledge that Vermont is a liberal state, one crucial question has not yet been given much attention by media outlets and researchers alike: Why is it, that Vermont is so liberal? In fact, it seems quite puzzling that such a small, rural, and landlocked state should be a stronghold of cosmopolitanism and political awareness. This research paper therefore intends to analyze whether political liberalism is in fact a prevalent political view in Vermont and, if so, why.
Summary of Chapters
1 Introduction: Introduces the research puzzle regarding Vermont's reputation for liberalism and outlines the methodological approach to the study.
2 Theoretical Background: Liberalism in the American Context: Defines the evolution of liberalism within the United States, tracing its shift from classical laissez-faire policies to modern social welfare concerns.
3 Liberalism in Vermont: Analyzes the history of the state, the rise of democratic socialism through Bernie Sanders, and the significance of the 2006 midterm elections.
4 Explaining Liberalism in Vermont: Examines four key factors: historical legacy, political culture, demographics/migration, and legislative impact on public opinion.
5 Conclusion and Perspectives for 2008: Summarizes findings on why Vermont maintains its unique ideological position and offers a brief outlook on future political developments.
Keywords
Liberalism, Vermont, Bernie Sanders, Democratic Party, Political Culture, Socialism, Midterm Elections, Political History, State Demographics, Progressivism, Political Ideology, Voter Behavior, U.S. Politics, Social Welfare, Public Opinion
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core subject of this research?
The work examines the political landscape of Vermont to understand why the state is distinctly more liberal than the national average, challenging its rural stereotype.
What are the primary themes discussed?
Central themes include the historical roots of Vermont's independence, the political impact of Bernie Sanders, demographic trends, and the influence of state laws on ideological formation.
What is the main research question?
The paper asks why a small, rural state like Vermont serves as a stronghold for liberal ideology and political awareness, and what specific factors sustain this phenomenon.
Which scientific methods are applied?
The study uses a comparative analysis by measuring Vermont against national averages and investigating four criteria: history, political culture, demographics, and legislation.
What topics are covered in the main section?
The main part covers the theoretical definition of American liberalism, an in-depth look at Vermont's political history, and a breakdown of variables that correlate state residency with liberal opinion.
Which keywords best describe the paper?
Key terms include Liberalism, Vermont, Bernie Sanders, Political Culture, Progressivism, and Political Ideology.
How is the term "liberal" defined in this context?
The paper uses the term in its contemporary American sense, referring to the modern political phenomenon of the American left, including support for social reform and government intervention.
What role does Bernie Sanders play in the analysis?
Sanders is used as a case study to explain the viability of democratic socialism in Vermont and the shift away from national conservative trends.
What impact do state laws have on Vermont's politics?
The text suggests that specific constitutional provisions and legislative acts in Vermont have helped foster a cultural climate that is egalitarian and conducive to liberal policy.
- Quote paper
- Anonym (Author), 2007, The Left-Wing Freak Show - Analyzing Liberalism in Vermont, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/153854
