1991

Book, 16 x 24 x 3.5 cm.
Materials: paper, ink

Collection: Collection MHKA, Antwerp.

With his book Culture Wars: The Struggle to Define America, American sociologist James Davison Hunter reintroduced the historical concept of 'culture war', in response to what he considered to be a far-reaching polarisation within American politics and culture. According to his analysis, the latter was driven by the sexual revolution and by identity politics. Starting from an analysis of urgent contemporary social issues such as abortion, arms legislation, separation of church and state, privacy, recreational drug use and homosexuality, Hunter argues that the dichotomy of society is no longer primarily defined by a religious, ethnic, socio-economic or political fault line. Rather, he identifies two morally opposite world views: a progressive and an orthodox one. Hunter defines the orthodox worldview as a static, universal and externally imposed view of morality. The progressive attitude assumes that ethics are contextual and evolving, tending towards a tolerant and inclusive society. According to Hunter, these two groups are constantly fighting for moral authority and are trying to gain control over cultural and political institutions. For this reason, a cordial and constructive debate between 'the progressives and the orthodox' does not seem to be possible.

“The fundamental reason why each side characterizes their rivals as extremists outside the mainstream is because each ardently believes that the other embodies and expresses an aggressive program of social, political, and religious intolerance”.