Blog 5

Blog 5- Political Identity

            Growing up, I lived all over the United States, living everywhere from North Dakota, to Arizona and Pennsylvania, and most recently, Michigan.  Living all over the country has given me a unique perspective on politics, especially of the various political identities around the country.  In addition, I have been able to observe the different political views of LDS members throughout the country.  The book defines a political identity as “The ways that individuals categorize themselves and others” with a result of close emotional association (Samuels, 149).  Therefore, for the LDS population to have a distinct political identity, they would have to be categorized in a group with similar political views and have resulting feelings of closeness and loyalty.  Although not all LDS members have the same political views, a high enough majority of LDS members share a distinct political identity, leaning towards more conservative politics. 

            The Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life did a survey measuring the religious landscape of the United States including the political preference, as well as opinions on topics such as homosexuality and abortion for various religions.  LDS members had the highest percentage of republicans or leaning republicans at about 65 percent (Religious Landscape Survey, 1).  LDS members also had the highest united affiliation to any one political side with the exception of historically black churches (78 percent democratic) (Religious Landscape Survey, 1).  Although there are LDS members that do not side with the republican side, or that are very liberal, they are in a minority in the church. 

            The church is especially careful to stay political neutral when involved in politics.  However, the church does come out about issues, such as gay marriage and abortion.  These policies are part of what creates a distinct political identity for members of the church, because for the most part, political parties and groups also have clear stands on these issues.  However, in recent years, the strength of the political identity has decreased.  In 1984, 90 percent of LDS members voted for Ronald Reagan (Nelson, 1).  However, this year it is estimated that only about 65 percent will vote Republican this year (Nelson, 1). 

            This political identity demonstrates parts of both the primordialist or constructivist arguments.  In a primordialist argument, when a member grows up in the church, they are much more conservative then those that are converted into the church.  Being born and raised in the church means that you are constantly surrounded by those who share similar standards and most likely similar (and conservative) political views.  Likewise, the constructivist theory can be argued for those that are converted to the church and learn and evolve to fit into the church’s identity. 

            Overall, although it is probably not as strong as it was 15 to 20 years ago, there is still a distinct LDS political identity.  This political identity, a fairly conservative and for the most part, Republican identity, is something that has developed despite the church’s neutral position involving politics. 

Work Cited:

Nelson, Paul.  “LDS more politically conservative than any other faith.”  Ksl.com.  Desert Media Inc.  29 June 2009.  Web. 11 October 2012. 

Samuels, David J. Comparative Politics.  New York: Pearson.  2013.  Book. 

 “US Religious Landscape Survey.”  The Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life.  N.p.  2010.  Web.  11 October 2012.