1. The 2005 Political Typology: Beyond Red vs. Blue
partisan cleavages underlie the fundamental divide over the war in Iraq and George W. Bush’s emphasis on the preemptive use of force, key aspects of American politics in recent years. However, most issues, even within the realm of foreign policy more generally, do not display such a clear partisan pattern. In fact, in many cases the differences of opinion within the partisan coalitions are far greater than any partisan gap overall. Public opinions with respect to how active a role America should play in world affairs highlight this distinction. Each party coalition includes typology groups that express activist or isolationist sentiments. By a margin of 73% to 20%, Enterprisers believe it is best for the future of the country to be active in world affairs. By contrast, ProGovernment Conservatives, by a 53% to 39% margin, think we should pay less attention to problems overseas and concentrate instead on problems here at home. Similarly among the predominantly Democratic groups, the majority of Liberals favor an active role in world affairs, while most Conservative and Disadvantaged Democrats believe in focusing on problems here at home.
Intra-Party Fissures on Foreign Involvement Best for the Future of Our Country to... Focus on problems at home
Be active in world affairs
Total
49 44
Enterprisers
20 73
Social Conservatives
36 54
Pro-Gov't Conservatives
53 39
Upbeats
29 64
Disaffecteds
65 26
Conservative Democrats
64 29
Disadvantaged Dems
72 22
Liberals
40 55
U.S. Foreign Policy Should... Account for allies' interests, even if it means compromises Follow national interests even when allies disagree Total
53 37
Enterprisers
24 73
Social Conservatives
43 49
Pro-Gov't Conservatives
50 40
Upbeats
59 30
In other areas, only the most Disaffecteds 41 42 ideologically driven groups express views that Conservative Democrats 53 37 are significantly different from the national Disadvantaged Dems 56 31 average. In making foreign policy decisions, 82 14 Liberals the Enterprisers overwhelmingly say America should follow its own national interests even when the allies strongly disagree, while the consensus among Liberals is that U.S. foreign policy should take into account the interests and views of allies, even if it means making compromises with them. Most other typology groups, whether on the right or the left, are internally divided on this question, and have more in common with each other than they do with either of the extremes.
21