A modern moral dilemma: a utilization of culture wars for political gain within the United States government

The present study researches the background of culture wars within the United States and showcases how these culture wars are being utilized by political entrepreneurs in order to achieve a goal separate from resolving the expressed policy issue. In an effort to investigate this phenomenon, this paper analyzes the historical timeline of several prominent culture wars within the United States and then uses this background as a lens to examine the political successes and failures of two United States governors who attempted to utilize culture wars in order to advance themselves politically. By examining the rhetoric used by Ron DeSantis of Florida alongside Doug Burgum of North Dakota, as well as the subsequent results of their administrative actions in regard to the specific culture wars chosen for this paper, abortion and gender-affirming care, this paper intends to demonstrate the consequences of this continued utilization on the American public. In particular, how it is affecting distracting focus from systemic issues and eroding media literacy.