A Battlefield of Values: America's Left, Right, and Endangered Center

by Stephen D. Burgard, Benjamin J. Hubbard, Jack Miles (Foreword by)

Overview

Differing moral views are dividing the country and polarizing the left and the right more than ever before. This book offers unique solutions to improve communication and understanding between the two factions to fix our fractured political system.

Morality is at the heart of political contention in American society. Unfortunately, our polarized belief systems severely inhibit the achievement of bipartisan compromises. A Battlefield of Values: America's Left, Right, and Endangered Center provides a candid but nonjudgmental examination of what people think and believe—and how this informs our divisions over core values. By addressing how individuals believe rather than how they vote, the book illuminates why 21st-century America is so conflicted politically and religiously; exposes what matters most to those on the right and left of the political, religious, and cultural spectrum; explains why the members of the endangered center in American life—the moderates—are struggling to make sense of the great divide between conflicting ideologies; and predicts how a degree of reconciliation and detente might be possible in the future.

Authors Stephen Burgard and Benjamin J. Hubbard build a powerful case for how authentic communication between political factions is integral to bettering our society as a whole. Along the way, they illustrate the impact of religion and media on American belief systems and also explore the inability of news media to serve as mediators of this dilemma. This work will fascinate lay readers seeking perspective on our current political stalemate as well as serve college students taking courses in political science, communications, journalism, anthropology, or religious studies.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781440831928
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	12/14/2015
Pages:	264
Product dimensions:	6.20(w) x 9.30(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

Stephen D. Burgard was director of the School of Journalism at Northeastern University for 12 years until his death in October, 2014.

Benjamin J. Hubbard is professor emeritus of comparative religion at California State University, where he has taught for the past 30 years, serving 15 years as department chair.

Table of Contents

Foreword by Jack Miles
Preface
Introduction: America's Divided Heart
Chapter 1 The Religion Factor
Chapter 2 What People Think and Believe Religiously
Chapter 3 What People Think and Believe Politically
Chapter 4 America's Great Debates—Immigration, Gun Rights, and Climate Change
Chapter 5 America and the World—Religiosity and the American Character
Chapter 6 What Matters to the Right
Chapter 7 What Matters to the Left
Chapter 8 What Matters to the Center and Why It's Endangered
Chapter 9 The New Centrists—Can They Rescue Our Struggling Democracy?
Chapter 10 "A Battlefield of Values"—Politics, Culture, and Religion in Orange County, California
Chapter 11 Besieged Media Go Polar
Chapter 12 Chivalry May Be Dead, but What about Civility?
Chapter 13 Conclusion—Still Embattled, Still Endangered, but Still Hopeful
Bibliography
Index

What People are Saying About This

Daniel C. Maguire

"This brilliant book undertakes what most would say is impossible; it actually manages to build bridges between left and right, blue and red, religionists and 'nones.' With hard-nosed analysis, wit, and savvy, it takes on all the high-voltage issues, finds common ground amid the rancor, and points this splintered polity toward the art of civilized conversation."

Donald J. Matthewson

"As the authors note, 'religion is a complex reality,' and this book is best when it focuses on the role of religion in forming the terms of contemporary political debate. The outline of the issues is superb. Rather than dismiss religion as an aberrant part of American exceptionalism, the book discusses how religion can contribute to the process of public reason. In explaining how we might rise above acrimony, the authors make a contribution not only to academic understanding but to practical politics as well."

Dan Kennedy

"At a time when civil society is growing increasingly uncivil and antisocial, Stephen D. Burgard and Benjamin J. Hubbard expertly dissect the political, cultural, and religious differences at the heart of that divide. Everybody’s talking, nobody’s listening—and no one quite seems to know what to do about it. Fortunately, Burgard and Hubbard have identified some common interests that may help us come together. From energy security to education reform, from the ravages of poverty to the scourge of drug addiction, Burgard and Hubbard have done an admirable job of laying out an agenda that could unite our squabbling partisans, and renew our national conversation."