Some interesting links, thank you, Deborah. Agreed that culture isn’t just about region or ethnicity, and yes, it can also be surprisingly durable enough to survive relocation and even inter-marriage with other cultures and ethnicities across many generations. Also IMHO our ‘racial’ issues are often more about cultural differences (or perceived ones), to the point that the whole ‘racist’ bit can sometimes be a counter-productive distraction from what’s really going on.
For example, in Black Rednecks and White Liberals, black conservative author Thomas Sowell makes the case that black ghetto culture, which is claimed to be “authentic black culture”, is actually a highly dysfunctional white southern redneck culture which existed during the antebellum South. And this culture came, in turn, from the white “Cracker culture” of the North Britons and Scots-Irish who migrated from the generally lawless border regions of Britain. BTW, the Scots-Irish (aka, “Ulster Scots”) mostly settled the South and Appalachia, and historically have been a very ‘tribal’ and clan-oriented culture, raised amidst continuous conflict going back to the Romans and Hadrian’s Wall. And even today, besides the usual issues of God, Guns and Gays, they all still share a great respect for the military and a “strong tribal leader”, regardless whether they now live in Nashville, Tulsa, or Bakersfield!
Yep, am familiar with Bob Altemeyer’s work, and he’s noted that authoritarian types can be found among both libs and conservatives, but that the GOP simply tends to provide a more ‘hospitable’ climate for ’em. And it’s not difficult to see an authoritarian streak also running thru many progressives these days, especially the Berners. BTW, during the Obama administration, it was always interesting to note how often he was attacked for not being a “strong leader”, as though his diplomacy and low-key style were seen by many as some kinda ‘yooge’ liability (at least compared to their ‘needs’ and ‘expectations’)?!