Blog 5: Political Identity

            In the current presidential election, it isn’t uncommon to hear among the run-of-the-mill member of the LDS church that they intend to vote for Mitt Romney because he is a Mormon; because he is a good person; because his morals agree with theirs. This kind of thinking is demonstrative of the distinct political identity that is prevalent in the United States today, and maybe even throughout the world. In Utah especially this phenomenon manifest itself among the populace as well in other states where there is a high concentration of members of the Church. One may contribute this overarching trend to the politicizing identity of primordialism, which assumes that political identities are shaped at a very young age due to the values and beliefs of one’s family; they are fundamental beliefs that shape our opinions enough that we make political decisions on them (Samuels). Some primordialists go as far as to say that people are born with these identities. I don’t think we will go so far as to say that, but simply that childhood predisposes us to vote one way or another.

            Why is this tendency to identify politically so ingrained into the Mormon culture, one may ask. This can be answered easily. Within the LDS church, parents are encouraged to teach the religion’s principles to their children when they are young so they might act on their precepts when they grow older. Most youth within the church then, grow up being told that “we are all children of God” and “you have the right to choose for yourself” and the like. As these ideas are ingrained into their minds and their hearts, children act on them, and with age, many apply the principles to most aspects of their lives.

            The kinship bonds (Samuels) within the church, also emphasize the common political identity of church members. Most adherents to Mormonism, have family and friends that help bind them to this religion. Such connection influences people to develop close emotional and psychological bonds that “arouse loyalty and provides the basis for the politicization theory” (Samuels). Political identity finds its roots there, and they may dig deep easily and often become cemented in one’s life when rooted in such fertile grounds.

            According to research done BYU’s Center for the Study of Elections and Democracy, and recorded on Utah Data Points, not only do Republican Mormons approve of and plan to vote for Mitt Romney in the upcoming election, but 42% of LDS Democrats in Utah, also approve if him, and are even in favor of him winning the election (Monson). There we can see a common political identity in agreeing with Mormon ideals that are visible in his campaign. In a study by Trinity College, statistics indicated most Mormons have a republican leaning, with 59% of Mormons calling themselves republican nation-wide, and 90% of those in Utah claiming to identify themselves as Republican ("Study: Most Mormons Are Republican." ). Not only does this suggest similar political identities based on the LDS religion, but it also intimates that the higher the concentration of members in one area, the more political monotinicity. These finding s thoroughly support the supposition that there is a shared political identity within the LDS church. However, it is important to note that not everyone that is Mormon is a republican; not all Mormons support Mitt Romney. Though they share common beliefs, there still ambiguity between members of the LDS church on their political opinions. However it is a ripe ground to form common political bonds.

Monson, Quin. "Do LDS Democrats Like Mitt Romney?" Utah Date Points. N.p., 22 Aug. 2012. Web. 12 Oct. 2012. <http://utahdatapoints.com/2012/08/do-lds-dems-like-mitt-romney/>.

Samuels, David J. Comparative Politics. Minneapolis: Pearson, 2011. Print.

 "Study: Most Mormons Are Republican." UPI. United Press International, n.d. Web. 12 Oct. 2012. <http://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2011/12/14/Study-Most-Mormons-are-Republican/UPI-27481323907182/>.