The 1990s: The Birth of Political Tribalism

In the 1990s, the United States experienced a dramatic increase in political tribalism. This was due to a number of factors, including the rise of cable news, the decline of traditional media, and the increasing use of social media. As a result, Americans became more polarized in their political views, and it became more difficult to have civil discourse about important issues.

The Red and the Blue: The 1990s and the Birth of Political Tribalism

by Steve Kornacki

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	22563 KB
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Screen Reader	:	Supported
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Print length	:	500 pages
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The Rise of Cable News

One of the most significant factors that contributed to the rise of political tribalism in the 1990s was the rise of cable news. In the early 1980s, there were only three major television networks: ABC, CBS, and NBC. These networks were all centrist in their political coverage, and they tried to appeal to a broad audience. However, in the 1990s, a number of new cable news channels were launched, including CNN, Fox News, and MSNBC. These channels were more partisan in their coverage, and they appealed to specific political demographics. Fox News, for example, was explicitly conservative, while MSNBC was explicitly liberal.

The rise of cable news led to a number of changes in the way that Americans consumed news. First, it allowed people to choose news sources that conformed to their own political views. This led to a decrease in exposure to opposing viewpoints, and it made it more difficult for people to have civil discourse about important issues.

Second, the rise of cable news led to an increase in the amount of time that people spent watching news. This was due in part to the fact that cable news channels were available 24 hours a day. As a result, people were more likely to be exposed to news stories that were sensational and emotionally charged. This contributed to the increase in political polarization in the 1990s.

The Decline of Traditional Media

Another factor that contributed to the rise of political tribalism in the 1990s was the decline of traditional media. In the early 1990s, newspapers and magazines were still the primary sources of news for most Americans. However, these outlets began to lose readership in the 1990s, as people increasingly turned to cable news and the internet for their news.

The decline of traditional media had a number of consequences. First, it led to a decrease in the amount of exposure that people had to opposing viewpoints. This was because traditional media outlets were more likely to present a balanced view of the news, while cable news channels and internet news sites were more likely to be partisan.

Second, the decline of traditional media led to a decrease in the amount of time that people spent reading news. This was because traditional media outlets required more time to consume than cable news or internet news sites. As a result, people were more likely to be exposed to news stories that were sensational and emotionally charged. This contributed to the increase in political polarization in the 1990s.

The Increasing Use of Social Media

The third factor that contributed to the rise of political tribalism in the 1990s was the increasing use of social media. In the early 1990s, social media was still in its infancy. However, by the end of the decade, it had become a major force in American life. Social media allowed people to connect with friends and family, share news and information, and express their opinions on a variety of issues.

The use of social media had a number of consequences for political discourse. First, it allowed people to connect with others who shared their political views. This created echo chambers, where people were only exposed to information that conformed to their own beliefs. This made it more difficult for people to have civil discourse about important issues.

Second, social media allowed people to express their opinions on a variety of issues. This was both positive and negative. On the one hand, it allowed people to voice their concerns and to challenge the status quo. On the other hand, it also allowed people to spread misinformation and hate speech. This contributed to the increase in political polarization in the 1990s.

The 1990s was a time of great change in the United States. The rise of cable news, the decline of traditional media, and the increasing use of social media all contributed to the increase in political tribalism. As a result, Americans became more polarized in their political views, and it became more difficult to have civil discourse about important issues. This trend has continued in the 21st century, and it is now one of the most pressing challenges facing American democracy.

The Red and the Blue: The 1990s and the Birth of Political Tribalism

by Steve Kornacki

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	22563 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	500 pages
X-Ray for textbooks	:	Enabled

FREE